Title: A dive into the heart of the Kisangani market: chives, star of the stalls
In the hustle and bustle of the Kisangani market, one vegetable has been making headlines lately: chives. This aromatic plant, a member of the Amaryllidaceae family, is enjoying growing popularity among locals and traders in the region, for both economic and taste reasons.
The recent drop in the price of chives on market stalls has attracted the attention of many buyers, relieved to be able to find this essential condiment in their daily cooking at more affordable prices. As for the vendors, they are pleased to note the abundance of chives from neighboring areas, such as Isangi, Opala, Basoko and Banalia, which have successfully started growing them.
Mrs. Fatoumata Bileta, an experienced chive seller at the UAT market in Kisangani, testifies to this positive development: “We have seen the price of chives gradually drop recently, from 40,000 to 25,000 FC, or even 20,000 FC for a bunch. This abundant supply from the different territories has made it possible to meet local demand, and the whalers now unload their precious cargo of fresh chives every week.”
For Thérèse Sanga, a resident of the city, this drop in the price of chives is a godsend after a period of scarcity: “I am delighted to find chives on the stalls at more affordable prices. For a long time, I had to do without this essential condiment in the kitchen, but now I can prepare my favorite recipes again.”
Beyond its economic aspect, chives also have significant nutritional importance. Rich in vitamin K, it contributes to bone health and a balanced diet. Used as a condiment in many traditional recipes, chives are reinventing themselves and establishing themselves as an essential ingredient in local cuisine.
Despite the challenges faced by local farming communities, chive cultivation has found its place on the region’s fertile lands, offering the inhabitants of Kisangani an opportunity to rediscover this often underestimated culinary treasure. By encouraging the promotion of local products and promoting trade between different territories, chives are becoming the symbol of a thriving and resilient local economy.
Thus, through the rebirth of chives on the stalls of the Kisangani market, an entire community is reappropriating a precious culinary heritage, inscribing its history in the flavors and traditions of a region in perpetual evolution.