Context
In the villages around Kahuzi-Biega National Park (PNKB), women farmers play an essential role in household food production. Yet they face many challenges: limited access to agricultural inputs, the effects of climate change, declining soil fertility, crop losses and growing pressure on their livelihoods.
How the activity unfolded
To address these realities, CADGE-RDC launched the first phase of its seed distribution initiative for women farmers living in the villages bordering PNKB. Beyond the distribution itself, the project places strong emphasis on capacity building: beneficiaries are supported through hands-on training on line planting, rodent control and the rational use of fertilizers.
Skills gained
Line planting helps farmers better organize their fields, make the best use of cultivated space and simplify crop maintenance. Rodent control helps limit the damage caused to seeds and harvests, a frequent problem in many farming areas. As for the rational use of fertilizers, it encourages farming that is more efficient, more economical and more environmentally friendly.
Expected impact
This first phase aims to strengthen food security in a fragile context, while guiding beneficiaries toward more sustainable farming practices. The seeds distributed are concrete support for restarting agricultural activities, improving local production and reducing households' vulnerability to climate shocks. This initiative also matters for the protection of Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site: by strengthening the productive capacity of surrounding communities, CADGE-RDC helps ease pressure on the park's natural resources.
Looking ahead
Through this action, CADGE-RDC places women at the heart of community resilience: by giving them access to seeds, knowledge and adapted farming practices, the organization supports their autonomy, their dignity and their central role in local food security. This first phase is not just an input distribution; it marks the beginning of a broader accompaniment built on proximity, listening and community empowerment, reflecting CADGE-RDC's conviction that sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and women's empowerment must move forward together.