Fatshimetrie, October 13, 2024 – The market gardening sector in the Equateur province of the Democratic Republic of Congo is booming thanks to the cultivation of chili peppers. The region’s women market gardeners have found in this plant a profitable and sustainable opportunity, as evidenced by the story of Mrs. Claudine Kuma, a seasoned market gardener from Mbandaka.
In an interview, Mrs. Kuma highlights the attractiveness of chili pepper cultivation in terms of profitability. She strongly encourages her fellow women to embark on this promising activity. “Chillie cultivation is not only profitable, but also sustainable. In times of scarcity, prices soar, offering an opportunity for substantial profits,” she explains with conviction.
The current situation, marked by the scarcity of chili peppers on local markets in Mbandaka, has led to a significant increase in prices. This observation is pushing market gardeners to seek external supplies, resulting in additional costs. Ms. Kuma therefore calls for the exploitation of the vast forest areas available to develop this crop locally and thus contribute to the food security of the province.
Beyond this individual initiative, Ms. Kuma calls on all stakeholders, including partners and provincial authorities, to financially support the initiatives of women market gardeners. Such an approach would strengthen the economic autonomy of these women entrepreneurs, while promoting the sustainable development of the region.
In conclusion, the cultivation of peppers appears to be an opportunity to be seized by women market gardeners in Ecuador. Not only does it present undeniable economic advantages, but it also helps to overcome the challenges related to the supply of market garden products on local markets. Collective involvement and adequate financial support could transform this activity into a real lever for development for the region.