Title: How Congolese planters benefited from Ivorian agricultural experience at the SARA Show
Introduction :
The International Exhibition of Agriculture and Animal Resources (SARA) held in Abidjan was a unique opportunity for Congolese planters to share their experiences with their Ivorian counterparts. Under the aegis of GBE Agri, planters from the Congolese provinces were able to discover the successful agricultural methods and practices implemented in Ivory Coast. In this article, we will explore why Ivory Coast was chosen as a model and how Congolese planters were enriched by this experience.
The choice of Côte d’Ivoire as an agricultural model:
Ivory Coast was selected as a model for Congolese planters because of its agricultural vocation and its successes in the field. The country has set up areas dedicated to the cultivation of irrigated rice and has developed its village planters. The Ivorian state plays a crucial role in regulating the water movements necessary for irrigated rice cultivation. Congolese planters were impressed by this approach and expressed their wish to be able to reproduce this success at home.
Crop diversification:
During the SARA Show, Congolese planters were also made aware of the importance of crop diversification. They were able to see that growing irrigated rice could be combined with other crops such as corn, allowing harvests several times a year and increasing income. This approach was particularly encouraging for Kongo Central planters who realized the economic benefits of diversification.
Challenges to overcome:
During the discussions, the planters also became aware of the obstacles they will have to face to improve their yield. Access to seeds has been identified as a major challenge, requiring innovative solutions to circumvent this problem. In addition, labor and climatic hazards were highlighted as factors to be taken into account to ensure better yields.
Lessons learned:
Enriched by the Ivorian experience, the Congolese planters returned home with new knowledge and renewed motivation. They expressed their desire to apply the methods and good practices learned during the SARA Show to improve their yields and their crop quality. They were also encouraged to share this knowledge with other planters and motivate them to join their efforts.
Conclusion :
The participation of Congolese planters at the SARA Show in Ivory Coast was an enriching experience which allowed them to discover the successful agricultural practices of our neighbors. They were inspired by the Ivorian model of irrigated rice cultivation and became aware of the importance of crop diversification. Although they will have to overcome challenges, Congolese planters are determined to put into practice the lessons learned from this experience in order to improve their yields and contribute to the agricultural development of their country. Through exchanges and collaborative projects, agriculture in the Democratic Republic of Congo can benefit from best practices and continue to develop.