This is a revelation of capital importance, a call to the collective conscience for the preservation of a jewel of agricultural research in the DRC. In a moving press release, the environmental and agro-rural civil society of Congo, accompanied by the association of farmers without borders (AASF), sound the alarm about the ongoing dispossession of the concession of the National Institute of Agro-Economic Studies and Research (INERA-Kipopo) in Kipushi, in the heart of Haut-Katanga.
The observation is striking: three quarters of this station, although dedicated to research and the preservation of natural resources, are already reduced to impotence by acts of dispossession. The Kipopo forest, rich in a centuries-old history and initially dedicated to fish and agricultural research, is today threatened in its very existence.
This call to action must not remain a dead letter. It calls on the provincial, national and international community to address the urgency of the situation. It highlights not only the INERA-Kipopo station in danger, but also all the research and preservation projects that risk being destroyed if concrete measures are not quickly taken.
INERA-Kipopo embodies an essential part of agricultural research in the DRC, a valuable source of knowledge and expertise for the preservation of ecosystems and food security. Its disappearance or degradation would constitute an immeasurable loss for the country and for the international scientific community.
It is time to mobilize, to make our voices heard to defend this environmental and scientific heritage. Public authorities, civil society, agricultural research stakeholders and all concerned citizens must come together and act to protect INERA-Kipopo and preserve its crucial role in building a sustainable future for the DRC.
This press release is much more than a simple cry of alarm: it is a call for solidarity, responsibility and action. It is up to each of us to mobilize to preserve our common heritage, to offer future generations a world where research and the preservation of biodiversity remain absolute priorities.
In a world where environmental challenges are becoming increasingly pressing, where the preservation of natural resources is a major concern, this fight to save INERA-Kipopo is emblematic. It reminds us of the vital importance of scientific research and the conservation of ecosystems to guarantee a viable future for all.
By supporting INERA-Kipopo, by defending its mission and values, we are laying the foundations for a better future, more respectful of nature and more united. The time has come to act, to take a stand and to make our voice heard. INERA-Kipopo needs us, our commitment and our determination to survive and continue to light our way towards a sustainable and harmonious future. Let us act together, now, to protect this treasure of agricultural research and ensure a better future for all.