Support for sustainable development of agricultural sectors in North Kivu in DR Congo

BACKGROUND

The province of North Kivu out of a long period of war and instability, which has caused mportant poverty and precariousness, mainly in the countryside, but also felt in major cities. The vulnerability rate of households ranges from 6% in the Beni area to 27% in the north of Lubero, characterized by an important demographic pressure due to rugged terrain.

This vulnerability was more pronounced than the state services or socio-professional organizations for economic development in the region have disappeared, pushing the province in the memory of a prosperous agricultural situation. Indeed, large farms and small producers exporting to Kinshasa(onion, bean, potato, banana, spices ...) or international countries (tea, coffee, cotton ...), taking full advantage provided by a very fertile land. Unfortunately, numbers of sales channels are in bad situation, following the latent insecurity in recent years.

In this context, many farmers have felt the need to consolidate and defend their interests. The SYDIP (Syndicat de Défenses des Intérêts des pPaysans) is born in 1993 and today has a long experience in the management of the peasant movement in the North Kivu province, showing initiative and creativity in this difficult context. With more than 7,000 members in 12 federations, SYDIP advocates the development of a professional movement, in a rural, hardworking and fair world.

Late 2008, AGRISUD proposed a program to provide sustainable solutions by addressing the structural causes of this problem. The project actually began in June 2009.

OBJECTIVES

The specific objective is to improve the performance of agricultural sectors to the downtown city of the North Kivu and Orientale Provinces, in a context of building production systems Farmers Union member advocacy Peasants (SYDIP).

OPERATIONAL PARTNERS (2009-2013)

Operational: SYDIP, the Central Agricultural and Veterinary Tropical of Kinshasa (CAVTK)
Financial: Financing of € 1,899,000 was provided to 90% by the European Union. By the end of 2013, AGRISUD must raise € 190,000.

EXPECTED RESULTS

1.The network marketing of agricultural products to Butembo, Beni, Kisangani are sustainably improved, especially for 5 SYDIP federations : Fruits and Vegetables, Livestock, Potatoes, Food, Papain.
2.1680 Farm members in low and highlands have secure, strengthened and diversified their production activities in an agro-organic approach, based on local market needs.
3.SYDIP is strengthened and sustained structured.
4.The process of land charter implementation is engaged and local land standing committees are supported by the holding of 4 workshops.

RESEARCH FUNDING

To achieve the 2010 objectives, the funding sought is of 70.000 €.