Title: Growing wheat in North Kivu: an opportunity for agricultural development
Introduction :
The territory of Lubero, located in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is experiencing a boom in wheat production. Thanks to the Cooperative for the production and processing of agricultural products (COOPTA), more than 400 tonnes of wheat are expected at the end of the current third growing phase. However, despite these promising results, certain challenges remain for the sale of this production. In this article, we will explore the opportunities and obstacles related to wheat cultivation in the Lubero region.
The success of COOPTA:
COOPTA supports farmers and agricultural organizations by providing them with seeds and farming tools. Thanks to their supervision, the wheat cereal crop had a good yield during its experimental phase. With an area of 192 hectares, this promising crop should produce more than 400 tonnes of wheat from January to March 2024. These results demonstrate COOPTA’s commitment to promoting agricultural development in the Lubero territory.
The challenges of production flow:
Despite this success, COOPTA faces difficulties in selling the wheat produced. The lack of sales markets and the absence of agricultural feeder roads prevent the efficient delivery of products to buyers. Thus, more than 20 tonnes of wheat are currently stored in the Luofo and Mbwavinywa depots, waiting for buyers. COOPTA is therefore launching an appeal to partners and investors interested in the agricultural sector, in order to support their approach and facilitate the sale of products.
Collaboration with UCEF:
In this context, COOPTA expresses its gratitude to the UCEF (Congolese Union of Entrepreneurs and Farmers) for providing a threshing machine to the organization. This tool facilitates wheat harvesting and strengthens product processing capabilities. However, in order to maximize results and ensure sustainable development of wheat growing in Lubero, it is essential to strengthen partnerships and investments in the agricultural sector.
Conclusion :
Wheat cultivation in Lubero represents an opportunity for economic and agricultural development for the territory. COOPTA, by supporting farmers and promoting wheat production, has demonstrated its commitment to local agriculture. However, to ensure the prosperity of this crop, it is crucial to overcome the challenges related to the flow of production. The call to partners and investors will make it possible to develop the markets and infrastructure necessary for the sustainability of this agricultural activity. Together we can promote thriving agriculture and strengthen the economy of the Lubero region.