In the Tshopo province, in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, an agricultural revolution is underway, driven by the Program for the Development of Degraded Savannahs and Forests (PSFD). This initiative is not only transforming the way agriculture is practiced locally, but it is also helping to reduce dependence on imports and improve the living conditions of communities.
At the heart of this transformation is the production of white maize and its transformation into semolina. Thanks to the PSFD, a first pilot phase has produced approximately 450 tons of maize semolina, effectively replacing expensive imports from Uganda. This success has a direct impact on the inhabitants of the region, who now see the cost of a bag of semolina decrease, making this food product more accessible for many families.
The entrepreneur and project leader, Dominique Kasimba, plans to continue this growth by expanding corn cultivation to 1,000 hectares by 2024. This expansion could allow for a production of 3,000 tonnes, enough to supply not only the city of Kisangani, but also the capital Kinshasa, thanks to the Congo River.
The economic benefits of this initiative are already tangible. Local farmers, such as Djemba Ismaël, are seeing their income increase, allowing them to provide for their families, pay for their children’s education and even build homes. It is a true virtuous circle that is being established, contributing to the improvement of the living conditions of local populations.
However, despite these successes, major challenges persist. The region’s road infrastructure is in an advanced state of disrepair, limiting farmers’ ability to transport their products to urban markets. Similarly, access to electricity is limited, hampering the development of agricultural processing activities.
Furthermore, political and organizational obstacles hinder the full realization of the agricultural potential of the region. A lack of public investments, insufficient coordination between the national and local levels, as well as an absence of adequate financing structures, compromise the sustainability and competitiveness of the agricultural sector in Tshopo.
To ensure the sustainability of this sustainable and competitive agriculture, massive investments in road, electricity and water infrastructure are essential. In addition, the implementation of adapted agricultural policies, facilitating access to financing and providing technical support to farmers, is essential to ensure the continued development of the agricultural sector in the region.
In conclusion, the Tshopo Savannah and Degraded Forest Development Programme (PSFD) represents a ray of hope for a region in search of development. Despite the challenges that persist, this initiative shows the way towards a more sustainable, competitive and economically viable agriculture, thus offering a promising future to the inhabitants of the Tshopo province.