Context
In Kavumu, in the Kabare territory, tomatoes are among the most widely grown and consumed crops. During peak harvest periods, markets fill up with fresh tomatoes, but a significant share of the production is lost for lack of suitable processing and storage facilities. This represents a loss for farming households, particularly for the women who play a central role in producing, selling and managing the family's food resources.
How the activity unfolded
To address this challenge, the Centre d'Appui au Développement et à la Gestion de l'Environnement (CADGE-RDC), with support from the Global Greengrants Fund, organized a hands-on training in Kavumu dedicated to processing tomatoes into concentrate. Over several days, participants learned the essential steps: sorting, washing, crushing, cooking, concentrating, packaging, and following hygiene rules.
Skills gained
The women who took part now know how to turn a perishable product into one that can be stored and sold. The training was designed to stay adapted to local realities, with techniques that remain achievable even when modern equipment is not available.
Expected impact
This activity helps reduce agricultural losses, improve food security and increase women's incomes. By preserving tomatoes as concentrate, beneficiaries can sell their production when prices are more favorable and better manage food resources throughout the year.
Looking ahead
This initiative paves the way for small local processing units able to supply surrounding markets with quality products made in Kavumu. The tomato thus becomes a lever for resilience, self-reliance and local economic development.