The state of the soil in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is alarming and requires immediate attention. The multiple physical, chemical and biological degradations it faces pose a major challenge for the country and its inhabitants. Both urban and rural environments are affected by this phenomenon, aggravated by increasing demographic pressure and the constant demand for agricultural products.
The effects of this degradation are visible through gaping erosion heads, gutted soils in mine sand quarries and derelict wastelands. The consequences extend across the entire territory, from Kinshasa to Kongo-Central via Lubumbashi. It is imperative to understand the root causes of this degradation in order to be able to consider effective solutions.
Joseph Reagan Falasi Nitu, head of works at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Kinshasa, underlines the urgency of acting to restore these degraded areas. Among the main causes of this degradation, we can cite overexploitation of soils, deforestation, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and poor waste management.
To address this critical issue, it is essential to promote sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry, crop rotation and effective management of agricultural waste. It is also necessary to raise awareness of the importance of preserving soil and promote land conservation policies.
Restoring degraded soils in the DRC will require a concerted effort from public authorities, community stakeholders and civil society. It is time to act to protect this essential element of our environment and guarantee food security for future generations. The future of the DRC depends on our ability to preserve and restore our soils to ensure sustainable and balanced development.