** Kisangani: a new momentum for agriculture thanks to peasant school champs **
On March 30, 2025 in Kisangani, the province of Tshopo, the Congolese agricultural sector has just crossed a decisive course with the provision of more than twenty-eight tonnes of quality seeds. This event, marking the launch of the agricultural campaign for season A-2025, not only underlines the commitment of authorities and organizations such as the International Forest Research Center (CIFO) and the International Agroforestry Research Center (ICRAF) in rural development, but also the urgency of responding to modern issues such as global warming and food insecurity.
### From theory to practice: the approach of peasant schools
The major asset of this initiative is based on the concept of “peasant schools”, which emphasizes education and practical learning. Beyond the simple supply of seeds, beneficiaries, in this case 58 groups of peasants in the Yalikanja sector, are encouraged to apply sustainable agricultural practices. According to a CIFO study, the application of these good practices can increase agricultural yields by 20 to 40 %. This figure is not negligible when considering that an increase of 1% of yields can contribute to significantly reducing rural poverty, a palpable reality in the DRC.
### Environmental impact and food security
The approach adopted by the CIFOR team and its partners represents a strategic response to the pressing environmental challenges. By integrating agroforestry, this approach not only preserves ecosystems, but also promotes biodiversity and improves the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate variations. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where agriculture is vital for 60% of the population, these initiatives can transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
It is interesting to note that the Democratic Republic of Congo faces a paradox: while being rich in natural resources, it suffers from alarming food insecurity, where 27 million Congolese are in a state of food insecurity according to statistics from the United Nations. The implementation of practical solutions like this could therefore prove to be crucial, beyond statistics, by offering a path to food self-sufficiency.
### The importance of the quality of the seeds
The modest Feno expert underlines the rigorous seed selection process, which is fundamental, because the quality of seeds is a determining factor for the success of production. Indeed, according to the World Bank Group, around 30% of losses in the world harvests could be avoided using quality seeds. The certified seeds from the National Institute for Studies and Research in Agriculture (INERA) and multiplied by local farmers formed, are therefore key elements that will help improve the living conditions of farmers, while strengthening food security.
### An economical model to follow
The financial support of partners such as the European Union and the United Kingdom is a guarantee of valuation of this initiative. Globally, many rural development projects have shown that investment in sustainable agriculture has positive economic benefits. For example, a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revealed that a dollar invested in agricultural development can generate up to $ 10 in economic return. Thus, the project launched in Kisangani could well serve as a model for other regions in Africa, where agriculture is both a livelihood and a solution to poverty.
### Conclusion
The initiative of peasant schools in Kisangani is more than a simple distribution of seeds: it embodies a holistic vision for a better future, where agroecology and technical training redefine relations between farmers and their environment. At a time when global challenges are increasing, actions like these remind us that innovation linked to sustainable agriculture is not limited to technology, but also involves the capacity of communities to learn, adapt and cooperate. In the DRC, each sown grain could well be the precursor of an abundant harvest and a prosperous future.