As part of the official launch of the second year of activities under the food resilience project AGRIFOOD, the field team began distributing seeds to farming households in the Upemba landscape on October 28, 2024. This initiative, initiated in Malemba-Nkulu territory, specifically in the Kayumba chiefdom at Mukanga, is progressing effectively and gradually extending to the territories of Mitwaba, Lubudi, and Bukama. Local communities warmly welcome this support, which includes improved seeds for five key crops: maize, rice, soybeans, beans, and groundnuts. Each household also receives a hoe as a bonus.
This year, 1,106 households will benefit from the program in the territories of Mitwaba (Haut-Katanga) and Malemba-Nkulu (Haut-Lomami). Among them, 756 households from 42 localities in Mitwaba and 350 households from 24 localities in Malemba-Nkulu will receive assistance. In the territories of Lubudi (Lualaba) and Bukama (Haut-Lomami), 313 households from 20 localities and 580 households from 48 localities will also receive seeds, with rice included as an additional crop.
The second year of the AGRIFOOD program is both a consolidation and an expansion of the achievements of its first year. The program has already helped reduce food insecurity, promote sustainable agriculture, and strengthen the capacities of local communities while facilitating the marketing of products from areas surrounding the Upemba National Park (UNP). According to the closing report of the first year, the program also fostered significant economic growth, which stands out as one of the key indicators of its success. Detailed results will be shared in upcoming publications.
Innovation and mechanization are central to the program’s dynamic in its second year. The introduction of mechanization has been a major breakthrough, providing tractors and processing tools for field preparation and value addition to agricultural products.
“We are confident that this momentum is already positioning the UNP as a driver of local development,” said Mr. Mickael Batakunda, project coordinator and head of the Community Development and Conservation Department. “By doubling our efforts, we will empower communities and enhance the protection of the park.”
Backed by strategic partnerships for lasting impact, the AGRIFOOD program, launched in 2023, is funded by the European Union delegation in the DRC and supported technically by FAO-DRC. It is implemented in collaboration with national partners and local organizations, carrying out a noble mission to combat food insecurity and promote the food and economic autonomy of communities surrounding the UNP.
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