Congo Archives

The DR Congo delegates with the IITA team led by Professor Abberton.

A delegation from the Programme National de Développement Agricole (PNDA), (translated National Agricultural Development Programme) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) visited IITA–CGIAR on 7-8 May to strengthen collaboration and deepen partnerships aimed at transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods across the region.

Welcoming the delegation on behalf of IITA Director General Dr Simeon Ehui, Prof. Michael Abberton, the IITA West Africa Hub Director, provided an overview of IITA’s work, structure, and contributions to agricultural development across Africa. He highlighted the institute’s commitment to research, innovation, and strategic partnerships that drive sustainable food systems and economic growth.

Head, Innovation and Technology Policy Department at NISER, Professor J. O. Adeoti presenting a plaque to one of the DRC delegates.

The Director General of the National Institute for Agricultural Study and Research (INERA), Dominique Kankonde, appreciated IITA for hosting the delegation and described the visit as an important step in strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two institutions.

Kankonde emphasized the significant impact of IITA’s support to INERA, especially plans to establish a gene bank in the DRC. “I’m happy with the good news that the gene bank will be brought to the DRC,” he said, adding that the importance of the initiative became even clearer through visits facilitated by IITA to other CGIAR centers. He also revealed that technical staff from INERA would soon visit IITA for practical training across the institute’s various units.

According to him, IITA’s partnership approach extends beyond research by actively engaging the private sector to ensure that research outputs reach farmers and other end users effectively.

IITA Researcher, Paul Dontsop, also shared insights into PNDA, describing it as an ambitious agricultural development initiative focused on strengthening value chains, infrastructure, production, and marketing systems, while building research and institutional capacity in the DRC.

A Lualaba Province Inspector from the delegation, Tshinyeta Kasongo Valentin, commended IITA’s work and highlighted the growing importance of agriculture in Lualaba Province. While acknowledging the province’s strong mining sector, he noted that agriculture is increasingly being recognized as a key driver of sustainable development. “I’m happy to hear the mandate crops of IITA because that is exactly what we are growing,” he stated.

DRC delegates during a visit to the University of Ibadan.

As part of the exchange visit, the delegation also visited the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), where discussions focused on collaboration in knowledge exchange, capacity building, and research development. Representing the Director General of NISER, the Head of Research Management Department, John Adeoti, welcomed the partnership opportunity and proposed formalizing the collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support future joint initiatives.

The delegation further visited the University of Ibadan to explore opportunities for collaboration in agricultural research and postgraduate training. The team was warmly received by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Tolulope Ososanya, alongside the former Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Victor Okoruwa. Discussions centered on strengthening MSc and PhD training programs, with recommendations to expand future collaborations into forestry, fisheries, horticulture, and animal husbandry.

As the visit concluded, discussions on future partnerships highlighted the Fertilizer Hub, cassava breeding and production, capacity building, and the gene bank as priority areas for collaboration.

The Head of the DRC Cooperative, Lydiane Nabami Nyembo, also acknowledged the professionalism and quality of IITA staff, while noting the transformative potential of the cassava value chain to create jobs and empower young people. Reflecting on the visit, she remarked, “The level of women’s engagement across every stage of IITA’s work is truly impressive. I will encourage women in my cooperative to visit IITA and learn. This visit has genuinely brought about a change in mindset.”

Contributed by Alice Omoteji and Ochuwa Favour Daramola

Program for the launch and training workshop on the digitalization of the seed sector in the DRC (Synergy: EmergenSys & PNDA).

A four-day Training-of-Trainers workshop on digitalizing the seed sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) using SeedTracker was held on 7-10 April 2026 at IITA Kinshasa under the FAO EmergenSys and National Agricultural Development Program (PNDA) projects implemented by IITA-CGIAR.

The training brought together 21 participants, including eight national seed inspectors from the National Seed Service (SENASEM), two staff members each from the National Institute of Agronomic Studies and Research (INERA), IT specialists from DANTIC (IT department of the Ministry of Agriculture), and seed companies, to strengthen digital seed quality assurance and seed system management in the country.

According to Project Leader Dr Paul Donstop, based at IITA-Kinshasha, the initiative addresses major challenges in the DRC seed sector, including limited technical capacity, inadequate quality assurance systems, and poor access to improved, disease-free seed. Through the Agricultural Transformation Program (PTA-DR Congo), the PNDA and EmergenSys projects aim to strengthen seed systems resilience and improve agricultural productivity.

Dr Clerisse Casinga, the course organizer, noted that the training focused on assessing SENASEM’s digitalization needs, operationalizing SeedTracker in the DRC, building the capacity of seed inspectors and stakeholders, and promoting awareness of digital tools for seed certification and traceability. Participants received practical training on SeedTracker installation, data collection, and field reporting, led by Busayo Ogunya, an IT Programmer from IITA-Ibadan, Nigeria.

SeedTracker is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening the DRC seed system by improving seed traceability, quality assurance, certification processes, and real-time data management. The platform enables efficient monitoring of seed production, inspection, and distribution, helping to ensure farmers have access to quality seed while supporting transparency and accountability across the seed value chain. The tool also provides a foundation for data-based decision-making and faster response to seed system challenges, contributing to improved food security and agricultural resilience in the DRC.

Workshop training of trainers on the digitalization of the seed sector in the DRC using the SeedTracker software.

As part of the initiative, a needs assessment was conducted at SENASEM, the national seed quality assurance agency, to support the integration of digital tools into seed sector operations. Technical support from DANTIC, the Ministry of Agriculture’s IT department, is helping establish the infrastructure needed to adopt SeedTracker, including plans for a dedicated SeedTracker control room to monitor implementation.

Dr Lava Kumar, Virologist, Head of IITA’s Germplasm Health Unit, and SeedTracker lead based at IITA-Ibadan, Nigeria, thanked the EmergenSys and PNDA projects for supporting SeedTracker adoption in the DRC and emphasized that the SeedTracker-DRC platform has been tailored to meet the country’s specific seed system and certification needs.

At the end of the workshop, participants shared their insights and expressed enthusiasm for adopting digital tools. Speaking on behalf of all participants, Daniel Mwambi, Head of Division at SENASEM-Kinshasa, emphasized the importance of this digitalization initiative using SeedTracker for modernizing agriculture and within the seed sector in the DRC. Additionally, he indicated interest in ongoing collaboration with trainers for further data collection. All participants approved a roadmap for sustainable digitalization. Field practice with the SeedTracker app demonstrated their ability to collect and report data effectively.

Contributed by Clerisse Casinga and Lava Kumar

Idowu Osun taking a session during the training.

In many rural communities across the Democratic Republic of Congo, cassava is more than just a staple crop; it is a source of food, income, and survival for thousands of farming households. Yet despite its enormous economic potential, many smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and small businesses continue to face challenges in turning cassava production into profitable and sustainable enterprises due to limited business, financial, and organizational management skills. Strengthening these capacities is increasingly seen as essential to reducing post-harvest losses, improving market access, creating jobs, and helping rural communities build more resilient livelihoods.

To address these gaps, IITA–CGIAR, through the Cassava Value Chain Development (CVCD) project, organized a Cooperative Management and Entrepreneurship/Business Management Skills Development training in collaboration with the TAAT Cassava Compact for cooperatives and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating within the cassava value chain in Kinshasa.

Participants after the training in DR Congo.

The training brought together cooperative leaders, processors, aggregators, and SME operators to build their knowledge in cooperative governance, leadership, financial literacy, and business management. Participants were equipped with practical skills needed to strengthen the management of cassava-based enterprises and improve coordination across production, processing, and marketing activities.

A major focus of the training was financial literacy and business management tailored specifically to cassava enterprises. Participants learned practical approaches to recordkeeping, budgeting, cost-benefit analysis, and financial planning for cassava production and processing. The program also introduced basic accounting tools to help participants better track revenues from products such as gari, fufu flour, starch, chips, and high-quality cassava flour. With their financial management skills strengthened, the participants can now better explore access to finance, support investment in improved technologies, and reduce risks linked to price fluctuations and post-harvest losses.

The entrepreneurship component of the training showed participants how to identify business opportunities across the cassava value chain, including mechanized processing, value addition, packaging, branding, and market expansion, promoting a market-oriented mindset.

Highlighting the importance of innovation and competitiveness in driving growth within local and regional cassava markets, participants were shown how to understand consumer preferences, quality standards, and the requirements of high-value markets.

The training emphasized the importance of collective action in improving productivity and profitability through stronger cooperative systems. Participants learned the benefits of bulk purchasing, shared processing facilities, access to improved cassava varieties, and stronger market linkages.

Discussions during the interactive sessions addressed key challenges affecting the cassava value chain, including limited access to equipment, weak market connections, inconsistent product quality, and high post-harvest losses, while offering practical solutions to address them.

By strengthening participants’ financial management and entrepreneurship capacities, the training supports the CVCD project’s broader goal of transforming cassava cooperatives and SMEs into competitive, profitable businesses in the region.

Ultimately, the goal of the training is to improve incomes and livelihoods for farmers and value chain actors, while supporting food security, job creation, and inclusive economic growth in DRC.

Contributed by ‘Timilehin Osunde

IITA–CGIAR has reaffirmed commitment to strengthening agricultural development in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) during the inauguration of the new Enabel office in Beni. The office will coordinate activities under the ambitious Green Corridor program, a regional initiative designed to foster sustainable economic development, environmental conservation, and resilient food systems across North Kivu.

The ceremony brought together government representatives, development partners, and civil society organizations and served as a platform for strategic exchanges among potential implementing partners. IITA participated in the event following an invitation from Roxane de Bilderling, Ambassador of Belgium to the Democratic Republic of Congo, who attended the ceremony as a guest of honor.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizing the official opening of the ENABEL office, officiated by His Excellency the Military Governor in the presence of the ENABEL Country Director and Her Excellency the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In her remarks during the inauguration, the Ambassador emphasized Belgium’s commitment to strengthening its development cooperation in eastern DR Congo.

“When the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maxime Prévot, visited the Democratic Republic of Congo last April, he highlighted Belgium’s intention to increase investments in North Kivu. Today, we are reinforcing that commitment by opening this office in Beni to be closer to the people through the Green Corridor project. This initiative is starting here but will expand to other parts of the country, aiming to strengthen both the livelihoods and food security of the population while respecting environmental sustainability. We are pleased to implement this through Enabel.”

Representing IITA at the ceremony, an IITA delegation highlighted the organization’s experience in agricultural research for development and its ongoing programs in the region. The exchanges focused on two main areas: the key interventions currently undertaken by IITA and the Institute’s long-standing engagement in the far north of North Kivu.

During the discussions, IITA presented its ongoing work to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains, and support smallholder farmers across eastern DR Congo. Partners acknowledged the Institute’s technical expertise and track record in delivering practical, science-based solutions for farmers in challenging environments.

Enabel’s strategic team expressed a strong interest in IITA’s proposal to contribute to the Green Corridor initiative. It indicated its intention to accelerate the engagement process so that a partnership agreement can be finalized promptly, and implementation activities can begin on the ground as soon as possible.

The discussions also brought together several organizations already engaged in the program, including Rikolto and Virunga Foundation. Some of these partners are already advancing in the implementation phase, demonstrating the growing momentum behind the Green Corridor initiative.

IITA’s participation in strategic exchanges was strengthened by its ongoing work in the region, particularly in Lubero, where the Institute collaborates with local partners to improve wheat production systems.

The field results from the first agricultural season showed yields increasing from 0.7 to 2.5 tons per hectare, illustrating the potential of improved agronomic practices and farmer training to transform local food systems. These achievements were highlighted during the discussions as promising evidence of IITA’s capacity to scale sustainable agricultural innovations in the region.

As discussions advanced, Enabel also emphasized the importance of operational efficiency for successful program delivery. The project team suggested that, once engagement processes are finalized, IITA could consider establishing a presence in Butembo.

Such a location would place the Institute strategically between Lubero, where wheat interventions are underway, and Beni, where cassava-related activities are expected to expand. This positioning would facilitate coordination, enable closer engagement with farming communities, and strengthen program implementation across the territories targeted by the Green Corridor initiative.

The Green Corridor program seeks to create sustainable economic opportunities while preserving the rich natural resources of eastern DR Congo. Achieving these ambitious goals will require strong collaboration among research institutions, development organizations, government actors, and local communities.

For IITA, the discussions marked an important step toward deepening collaboration with Enabel, and other partners engaged in the initiative. The Institute’s long-standing presence in agricultural research and development, combined with its practical field experience in North Kivu, positions it well to contribute to the success of the Green Corridor.

Contributed by Ritha Bumwe and Moustapha Kigangu.

Drying and shelling of maize surpluses at campaign collection points

Agriculture is increasingly recognized as the cornerstone of sustainable development across Africa, where it is significantly reshaping livelihoods, economies, and food systems. Across the continent, governments, development institutions, and research partners are aligning efforts to ensure food and nutritional self-sufficiency, reduce dependence on costly imports, and position African nations more competitively in global trade. What was once a long-term aspiration is now unfolding as a coordinated movement – with key actors drawn from research, academia, and governments, driven by innovation, policy reform, and investment, quietly transforming the lives of millions.

Inspecting and bagging shelled maize for market

At the center of this shift is the smallholder farmer. Long overlooked despite forming the backbone of agricultural production, small-scale producers are now receiving the long-overdue attention and development support from initiatives that are targeting agricultural transformation. Programs designed to modernize farming practices are expanding access to improved seeds, digital advisory tools, mechanization, and markets. Commercial seed systems built on recent breeding efforts are becoming viable across multiple crops and countries, enabling farmers to transition from subsistence production to profitable enterprise models, particularly in cassava, maize, and rice value chains.

Along with these, technology is a defining factor in this transformation. Digital agriculture platforms are improving access to extension services, weather information, financial tools, and market intelligence. At the same time, mechanization is reducing labor burdens and making farming more attractive to youth. Women, who make up a significant share of Africa’s agricultural workforce, are also gaining technical and economic empowerment through targeted training, financing opportunities, and inclusive policies. These combined drivers are not only raising productivity but also strengthening resilience in the face of climate variability and economic shocks.

Organizations such as IITA and other CGIAR centers, along with their partners, such as AALI, are playing a central role by linking research innovation with practical field application. Through collaborations with governments, donors, and institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), these efforts are demonstrating scalable models for agricultural growth across Africa. Their work shows that transformation is most effective when research, policy, and investment align strategically.

The momentum is significant, and the impact is visible. Over the past quarter-century, Africa has experienced strong macroeconomic growth, yet agriculture, employing roughly 65 percent of the workforce, has not fully reflected these gains. Evidence consistently shows that agricultural growth is more effective at reducing poverty than growth from other sectors. This realization has renewed commitment to reforms that prioritize rural economies, fair trade policies, and investment in research and development. Reducing excessive tariffs on farm inputs, strengthening producer incentives, and supporting value addition are among the policy measures helping unlock agricultural potential.

Unlike past efforts to revitalize African agriculture, this current transformational phase has gathered sizable political will and initiated additional rounds of policy re-evaluation and reform. The active participation of governments and regional organizations in recent landmark events highlights this turning point toward agricultural transformation. Still, challenges remain.

Many countries continue to import staple foods because domestic production falls short of demand. Climate change, land pressures, and unequal access to resources threaten progress. To address these realities, experts from IITA-CGIAR and The African Agricultural Leadership Institute (AALI), led by Paul Woomer, in a recent report titled, “African Agricultural Transformation: Perspectives from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture,” emphasized some of the result-driven approaches that are being deployed from private sector engagement to technology bundling – which includes combining improved seeds, climate-smart practices, soil management, and digital tools tailored to local conditions. According to another study, integrated approaches, such as technology bundling, are attracting attention as tools for agricultural development in countries like the DR Congo, Kenya, and Nigeria.

According to the researchers, these types of approaches are essential to meet changing consumer preferences, diversify diets, and build resilient food systems.

The study shows that, despite International Financial Institutions’ investments playing a key role in supporting numerous programs and initiatives on the continent, the private sector is critical for widespread investment and scaling for impact.

Ultimately, agricultural transformation goes beyond yields or markets; it is about smallholder farmers adopting innovations, and women and youth embracing small-scale mechanization to reduce drudgery.

Agricultural transformation is about farm productivity, which translates into increased household incomes, better nutrition, improved health, and stronger opportunities for the next generation. With visionary leadership, inclusive policies, and strategic partnerships, Africa stands on the threshold of an agricultural renaissance capable of reshaping its development trajectory and delivering lasting prosperity for millions.

Contributed by Ochuwa Favour Daramola

Farmers participating in an ISFM awareness session in Lubero, North Kivu.

Smallholder farmers in Lubero territory, North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are witnessing significant improvements in their harvests and agricultural practices thanks to the IITA–CGIAR, the African Agricultural Leadership Institute (AALI), and the Virunga Foundation pilot project for the Intensification of agricultural production. The initiative supports farmers in adopting Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) technologies that strengthen soil productivity and increase yields of wheat, maize, and soybean. The project also marks the first step toward the future Kivu–Kinshasa Green Corridor, an ambitious program aimed at transforming agriculture across eastern DRC.

Women farmers learning improved agronomic practices during a field demonstration.

So far, the pilot project has reached 350 smallholder farmers, of whom 60 percent are women, through a combination of awareness campaigns, theoretical and practical training, and the distribution of improved seeds and fertilizers. In total, 1,577 people, mostly farmers, have been sensitized on ISFM and its benefits for sustainable agriculture. These awareness efforts help farmers understand not only how to apply the improved technologies, but also why such changes are essential for reviving soil health in a region that has experienced decades of land degradation.

Farmers received complete input kits that included hybrid wheat seed (Hyrax), improved maize seed (Bazooka), soybean seed (Mak Soya 3), and mineral fertilizers such as DAP and urea. These inputs enable farmers to immediately establish their production fields and apply the practices learned during training. One of the project participants explains how these improved technologies have changed his farming experience.

“Before IITA’s intervention through this project, no one in the village used mineral fertilizers. For generations, we had been told that chemical fertilizers degrade the soil, so farmers avoided them completely. Thanks to IITA’s training in good agronomic practices based on ISFM technology, we now understand the importance of using mineral fertilizers correctly and how to benefit from their advantages while avoiding the problems caused by misuse,” noted Mpangi Kambale, a farmer from Masereka

“As long as you tell us how we can access them when we want to buy them, we are ready,” he concludes.

IITA–AALI–Virunga Foundation pilot project boosts agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers in North Kivu — IITA researcher demonstrating to farmers the impact of fertilization on wheat growth during the field day.

Additionally, Rachele Kavira, a farmer from Lubero, expressed her sincere gratitude to the IITA, AALI, and the Virunga Foundation Consortium for their training and technical support. “We were on the verge of abandoning agriculture, even though it is the main source of income for more than 90% of the population, because our yields kept declining season after season due to soil degradation. Thanks to their practical training and technical guidance, they revealed the key techniques that enabled us to increase yields, improve productivity, and sustainably boost the production of wheat and maize.”

The project’s farmer field days, held from 1 to 5 December 2025 across Lubero Center, Masereka, Magheria, Kyondo, and Kasongwere, played a central role in strengthening the adoption of the ISFM package. These events served as open-air classrooms where farmers observed the direct impact of improved technologies on crop performance. Under the guidance of IITA researchers and AALI, participants compared traditional farming approaches with ISFM-enhanced fields, gaining first-hand experience that reinforced what they had learned during training.

“Farmers trust what they see more than what they are told. These demonstration plots help them understand how improved seed and proper soil fertility management can easily double or even triple their yields,” noted Engineer Moustapha Kigangu from IITA.

By December 2025, the project had facilitated the establishment of 52.5 hectares of improved production fields, including 30 hectares of wheat and 22.5 hectares of maize. Expected yields from these fields are 60 tons of wheat and 67.5 tons of maize, corresponding to average yields of 2 tons per hectare and 3 tons per hectare, respectively. These gains translate into potentially significant income: an estimated USD 36,000 from wheat and USD 33,750 from maize. Beyond these numbers, the project has given farmers renewed confidence in their ability to increase their productivity using simple, proven practices that restore soil fertility and protect the environment.

Contributed by Moustapha Kigangu and Bumwe Ritha

Engineer Thierno Diallo, IITA Postharvest Specialist; Ismail Oyinlola and Oluwasegun Ibajesomo, Representatives of Agroloop Farms Limited, Nigeria; and Idowu Osun, Business Development Officer, ENABLE-TAAT Compact, during the visit of Agroloop Farms Ltd representatives to the Mobile Cassava Processing Plant at IITA Headquarters.

The Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Cassava Compact, led by IITA-CGIAR, has partnered with ENABLE-TAAT to strengthen private sector participation in cassava value chains across Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The collaboration aims to promote the adoption of proven TAAT technologies that enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost agribusiness profitability.

In September 2025, the ENABLE TAAT Compact worked in collaboration with the TAAT Cassava Compact and the Cassava Value Chain Development (CVCD) Project to engage two private sector companies: Agroloop Farms Limited in Nigeria and Bien-être – Bien Vivre SARL in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to explore opportunities for cassava technology transfer and commercialization.

At IITA headquarters in Ibadan, the TAAT team introduced Agroloop Farms Limited to the Cassava Mobile Processing Plant technology. The company, which plans to process cassava from over 2,500 hectares through its own farms and an outgrower scheme, was advised to adopt the mobile processing plant to convert cassava roots into cake before transporting them for further processing.
This innovation is expected to significantly reduce transportation costs and post-harvest losses, while ensuring higher-quality raw materials, better engagement with farmers (outgrowers), and improved business efficiency. Agroloop’s adoption of this technology will also strengthen linkages with smallholder farmers, creating an inclusive model that benefits both processors and producers.

In the DRC, the team engaged Bien-être – Bien Vivre SARL, a company aiming to establish over 100 hectares of cassava plantations for processing into High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) and fufu for local and export markets.

Benjamin Muganga, Technology Transfer Officer, TAAT Cassava Compact; Adeniyi Ogunkoya, Cassava Processing Specialist, Cassava Value Chain Development Project, IITA Kinshasa; and Idowu Osun, Business Development Officer, ENABLE-TAAT Compact with Kasereka Katondolo Zibrael and Yongesa Mbunge Didier, Representatives of Bien-Être Vivre SARL, DRC.

Muganga Benjamin, TAAT Cassava Technology Transfer Officer, introduced the company to several TAAT innovations, including improved and high-yielding cassava varieties, rapid propagation of virus-free planting materials, good agricultural practices, and post-harvest processing technologies.

During both engagements, ENABLE-TAAT Business Development Officer, Idowu Osun, emphasized how the adoption of TAAT cassava technologies can improve efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness within agribusiness enterprises.

“TAAT’s technologies are designed to help agribusinesses reduce costs, minimize post-harvest losses, and achieve sustainable business growth,” he said. “Through these innovations, companies can achieve up to 40% reduction in labor costs, faster turnover on existing facilities, and earlier business expansion compared to local technologies. By working with the private sector, we are ensuring that these innovations reach more farmers and create sustainable impact.”

He further highlighted that the TAAT model enables businesses to transition from traditional systems to technology-driven operations, improving cash flow, and ensuring sustainable growth. “The benefits extend beyond profitability,” he added. “TAAT supports companies with business plan development, de-risking strategies, and facilitation of access to credit and blended finance instruments. This holistic approach ensures agribusinesses are not only viable but scalable and sustainable in the long term.”

The collaboration marks a significant step in TAAT’s broader mission to de-risk agribusiness investment, strengthen linkages with private sector actors, and promote large-scale adoption of proven agricultural technologies across Africa.

Contributed by Jesutofunmi Robinson

Gregory Nwaoliwe, IITA Research Associate at the Nutrition and Health unit with participants during the practical session.

Post-harvest technology plays a vital role in preserving crop quality, reducing losses, and enhancing the efficiency of agricultural value chains. For cassava, a key staple in tropical regions, effective post-harvest management is essential to transform the perishable root into safe, market-ready products. This reduces spoilage and improves food safety, farmer incomes, and sustainable development.

To strengthen coordination and efficiency within the cassava value chain, the IITA Cassava Value Chain Development Project, recently organized a workshop themed “Post-Harvest Management and Cassava Processing” in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The two-week workshop included twenty-one participants; processing assistants, small- and medium-scale processors, and subject-matter experts. It focused on building technical capacity in cassava varietal selection, processing methods, hygiene and safety protocols, quality assurance, and value-addition techniques.

The training participants with the facilitator and company owners.

Participants engaged in interactive sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and field visits to functional cassava processing facilities – Nutripo, Limete Industrielle, and 10ème Rue. These practical experiences helped reinforce operational knowledge and workflow best practices.

The key outcomes of the workshop included:

Improved knowledge of cassava processing and safety standards.
Enhanced collaboration among value chain actors.
Identification of challenges and development of practical solutions.
Commitment to adopting best practices for improved product quality and market access.

The participants also called for stronger partnerships with research institutions, cooperative networks to support bulk processing and marketing, and continued training opportunities.

Gregory Nwaoliwe, a Research Associate at the IITA Nutrition and Health unit, said, “By empowering processing assistants with technical skills and insights, the workshop contributed to improving productivity, quality, and livelihoods in the cassava sector.”

As demand for cassava products grow, such initiatives are essential to empower local processors and ensure a resilient, competitive value chain.

Contributed by Anita Akinyomade

Vegetable farmers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are building their capacity in the production of organic fertilizer under the IITA BSF for Bio Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability (IITA-BBEST) Project, in partnership with the National Institute for Agronomic Study and Research (INERA). A practical training workshop for 50 people, including 24 men and 26 women was organized on 6 January 2025, at the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN) to equip these agripreneurs with knowledge on the production of organic fertilizer from the Black Soldier Fly residue (frass). This training is part of implementing the (BSF for Bio Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability) IITA-BBEST Project, the activities funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

This workshop was structured in two parts. The first part focused on rearing the black soldier fly (BSF) with a general overview of its origin and some fundamental characteristics of the species that make it a good candidate for rearing without risk for humans and animals. These characteristics are the expansion of the species throughout the intertropical zone despite its American origin, its wealth in proteins and lipids, making it an extremely interesting alternative source of feed for different livestock sectors (chickens, fish, and pigs), and its harmlessness to humans (i.e., does not bite).

It was highlighted that using BSF larvae for animal nutrition and organic fertilizers from livestock farming for market gardening is an innovative and sustainable solution that offers farmers an effective way to reduce costs while increasing their productivity. Also, integrating black soldier fly larvae and organic fertilizer into agriculture helps to preserve the environment.

Visit of the agripreneurs to the vegetable field fertilized with the BSF frass.

After the explanations on breeding the black soldier fly, the participants visited the black soldier fly larvae production unit to follow the different rearing stages, starting with the collection of waste and ending with obtaining the fly, including the collection of eggs, pre-pupae, and pupae.

The second part of the workshop was to train the participants on using organic fertilizers from the larvae of the black soldier fly. It was mentioned that the residues obtained after the digestion of organic matter by the larvae constitute a rich fertilizer and can be used after composting as an organic amendment to fertilize crops. It was recalled that organic fertilizer makes it possible to grow healthier vegetables and reduce the ecological footprint. Participants were advised to opt for these agroecological practices to ensure sustainable management of their resources by reducing chemical inputs. The participants visited some flower beds made and fertilized with the black soldier fly larvae organic fertilizer at the University of Kinshasa.

Eight members of the IITA BBEST project beneficiaries in Kinshasa participated in this workshop to increase their knowledge. These include two members of the Agricultural Cooperative of the Center of Kimbanseke (COOPACEK), two members of the Agricultural Cooperative of the Center Maraicher of N’djili (COOPACEN), two members of the Association of Fish Farmers for Development in Congo (APIDEC) and two members of the Judith farm.

This training ended with the presentation of a certificate to each participant.

Contributed by Claude Bahati and Francisca Ocloo

countries: Congo

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