** The use of organic matter in the cultivation of lubumbashi chouxed cabbage: a way of sustainable development? **
* Lubumbashi, June 03, 2025 – ACP* – In a context where urban agriculture is becoming more and more important, the recommendations of experts like Urban Kabeya, which advocates the use of organic matter in the production of choux -dressed in Lubumbashi, come to question the way in which cities can reconcile agricultural development and respect for the environment.
### The agricultural context of Lubumbashi
Lubumbashi, located in the province of Haut-Katanga, is often perceived as a mining heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This status brings with it a certain complexity: soils, often polluted by heavy metals from mining activities, arise as a major challenge for agriculture. In this context, the suggestion to incorporate organic amendments into the soil could constitute a response adapted to contemporary agronomic issues.
### Organic matter: potential enrichment
Mr. Kabeya with relevance of the benefits of organic matter. Enriching the soil with this substance could not only improve the quality of the earth, but also promote better resilience in the face of contaminants. Organic matter creates an environment conducive to living soil organisms, which can result in higher yields and improved product quality. While food security becomes an increasing concern for many regions of the world, local initiatives such as it deserve to be examined closely.
### The challenges of implementation
However, the adoption of these practices will not be made without calls for challenges. Lubumbashi soil pollution, although it can be reduced by the use of organic amendments, remains worrying. Farmers will not only have to learn to identify the types of appropriate organic matter, but also their quantities of application. This need for training highlights the importance of expertise.
Kabeya insists on the importance of professional support. This raises a crucial question: how to make this expertise accessible to all potential producers? If training programs can be implemented to educate farmers about these practices, it becomes essential to create bridges between experts and practitioners. The collaboration between scientists, agronomists and farmers could cause an ecosystem for exchange knowledge, promoting more sustainable and more efficient agriculture.
### The societal and economic impact
The approach to the use of organic matter also raises significant social and economic issues. Lubumbashi, like many other African cities, faces challenges such as unemployment and poverty. The potential increase in agricultural yields could not only improve food security, but also create economic opportunities for local producers.
Nevertheless, the valuation of lummaged cabbage must be accompanied by a reflection on the marketing of products. Farmers must have access to markets where they can sell their crops at a fair price. What is the role of local agricultural policies in this process? How can they support this transition to more sustainable urban agriculture?
### to a balanced prosperity
Mr. Kabeya’s suggestion to bet on organic matter deserves sustained attention. By integrating these practices into Lubumbashi agricultural systems, it is possible to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture while increasing food production. How to strengthen the infrastructure necessary to facilitate these changes? What partnerships can be established at the local and national level to support this initiative?
Echoing an invitation to action, this reflection on agriculture in Lubumbashi leads us to consider a future where harmony between food production, the preservation of the environment and economic well-being would be at the heart of concerns. The voice of experts, like that of Mr. Kabeya, could thus light up the path, but it cannot be enough without a collective and coordinated involvement of all the actors concerned. It is together, by sharing knowledge and commitment, that one will manage to draw sustainable solutions for the city and its inhabitants.