countries: Congo

Idowu Osun taking a session during the training.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.

Women farmers learning improved agronomic practices during a field demonstration.
Women farmers learning improved agronomic practices during a field demonstration.

“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.
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.
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.
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.
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

Training of the vegetable farmers.
Training of the vegetable farmers.

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.
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

The participants of the two day evaluation workshop in South Kivu.
The participants of the two day evaluation workshop in South Kivu.

The IITA led Great Lakes Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative Rapid Delivery Hub (AID-I GLR) project for the dissemination of agricultural innovations in the Great Lakes region, organized a workshop with the project’s various implementing partners between 4 and 5 December 2024. The workshop held in the New Riviera Hotel in Bukavu evaluated the project’s second year of implementation, drawing lessons from activities, while learning how to improve interventions and plan activities for the first quarter of 2025.

Each partner – RIKOLTO, VSF, Support and capacity-building services for women’s self-promotion (SARCAF), SAWBO, ILRI, IRRI, and CIP – presented the various achievements accomplished during year 2024, while drawing up their work plans for the next agricultural season.

Breakout session on intersection work during the workshop.
Breakout session on intersection work during the workshop.

Several technologies have been disseminated in the various villages spread over six territories in the province of South Kivu, with the aim of improving yields of food crops (cassava, banana, rice, maize, beans) and market garden crops. These technologies also promote practices such as artificial insemination, the manufacture of lick blocks, and the establishment of high-nutrition forage crops for livestock farmers.

Since inception, the USAID-funded AID-I GLR project has supported seed companies in ensuring the sufficient availability of quality seeds to farming households in South Kivu province while promoting good agronomic practices. Using the village-based agricultural advisor (VBA) approach, the advisors act as intermediaries between seed companies and farming households while passing on to farmers the   innovations learned from implementing partners to reinforce this process.

Participants discussing strategic plans for 2025 during the evaluation workshop in South Kivu.
Participants discussing strategic plans for 2025 during the evaluation workshop in South Kivu.

During the workshop, Project Coordinator Dr Jacob Mignouna urged all partners present to redouble their efforts to achieve the objectives set by the project, placing particular emphasis on the quality of data submitted to the project system. Also, IITA Delivery Specialist Dr Léon Nabahungu, suggested that the implementing partners write about their success story at the end of the project.

This initiative will highlight the level of satisfaction of the beneficiaries and demonstrate the impact of the interventions on increasing the agricultural incomes of households in the Zone concerned.

Contributed by Isabelle Buhoro

Certified participants after the catfish training at the IITA Kalambo office.
Certified participants after the catfish training at the IITA Kalambo office.

To enhance fish production and processing in the province of South Kivu, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has partnered with WorldFish to provide fish farmers and the national aquaculture service with comprehensive training in aquaculture technologies and practices in the DRC as part of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) aquaculture program. This was achieved through a series of training courses held from 4 to 17 September in the province of South Kivu.

The TAAT program, with its ambitious goals, aims to double the productivity of crops, livestock, and fish by 2025 by expanding access to productivity-enhancing technologies to more than 40 million smallholder farmers across Africa. It also seeks to generate an additional 120 million metric tons (T) of food while lifting 130 million people out of poverty.

Participants in processing and value-addition training.
Participants in processing and value-addition training.

The TAAT program was prioritized around priority crop, livestock, and aquaculture value chains. It rolled out a “twin approach,” which involves facilitating the delivery of productivity-enhancing technologies to farmers at scale while also seeking to create an enabling environment of policies and regulations for technology adoption and functioning of input and output markets. This approach is significant as it not only provides farmers with the necessary tools but also ensures that they can effectively use these tools in a conducive environment.

TAAT’s partners and stakeholders, including the African Development Bank, WorldFish, and the national aquaculture service, work in close collaboration to ensure the accelerated dissemination of the right knowledge and technologies at an accelerated pace, demonstrating the strength of our collective efforts.

With this in mind, WorldFish and IITA organized four Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions on four topics: Catfish fingerlings production, feed fish production, post-harvest and processing, and tilapia fingerlings production.

Training on feed fish ongoing at Kashusha feed mill at Kabare territory.
Training on feed fish ongoing at Kashusha feed mill at Kabare territory.

The workshop’s main objectives were to assess the present status of catfish and tilapia fingerling production, including challenges and opportunities along the value chain. They also aimed to identify facilities, inputs, and capacity-building needs for hatchery management in the catfish and tilapia industry. They also extend to increasing aquaculture production and productivity by identifying and deploying quality tilapia and catfish seeds, producing low-cost fish feed, and adding value through outreach campaigns, extension, and market linkage campaigns in RMCs.

In 2018, AfDB launched TAAT as a major continent-wide initiative designed to increase agricultural productivity by rapidly delivering proven technologies to millions of farmers.

Contributed by Isabelle Buhoro