Fatshimetrie, June 24, 2024 (ACP). The introduction of micro-gardens on plots in Goma, North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, offers new hope to residents in the face of food insecurity that persists in the region. This initiative, recommended mainly for women, aims to diversify local food sources and promote sustainable food autonomy.
Francine Nyota Kyungu, agronomy engineer, underlines the importance of these micro-gardens in a context marked by difficulties in supplying food. By encouraging women to grow amaranths, onions, spinach and leeks in small spaces, she offers them the opportunity to provide for their families while contributing to the food security of the community.
This approach, although modest, brings hope. Indeed, by allowing residents to produce part of their food locally, it reduces their dependence on imports, which are often costly and unstable in times of conflict. In addition, it promotes the consumption of fresh and seasonal products, beneficial for health and the local economy.
The call for entrepreneurs, both local and foreign, to invest in rural and urban agriculture, is an invitation to seize the opportunities offered by fertile soil and a climate conducive to cultivation. By focusing on local production, not only will the inhabitants of Goma be able to improve their food security, but also to boost the region’s economy and create sustainable jobs.
Furthermore, the harmful effects of food insecurity on the health of populations, particularly that of children, cannot be ignored. Increases in the prices of essential foodstuffs, caused by underproduction, contribute to worsening malnutrition and weaken the most vulnerable. It is therefore a humanitarian and economic emergency to promote sustainable solutions to ensure sufficient and balanced nutrition for all.
In conclusion, the micro-gardens initiative in Goma represents a step towards resilience in the face of food insecurity and dependence on imports. It embodies the hope for positive change, based on the valorization of local resources and the community’s commitment to healthy and sustainable food. It is essential to support and encourage these initiatives, in order to build a more secure and prosperous future for all in Goma and beyond. ACP/