DR Congo: Enabel and World Vision strengthen livelihoods and resilience among communities in Gemena
With funding from Enabel, World Vision is supporting vulnerable households in Gemena Territory, South-Ubangi Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through Farmer Field Schools (FFS), functional literacy classes and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). These interventions are helping communities improve their agricultural knowledge, develop a culture of saving and strengthen their economic independence.
On the Banga-Kungu axis, in the village of Bobazolo, the project team took part in a harvesting day organised by a Farmer Field School comprising 25 members. The farmers compared two peanut-growing practices: traditional farming practices and Integrated Production and Protection (IPP).
The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the techniques promoted through the project. Under the same environmental conditions and on plots measuring 10 by 10 metres, the plot cultivated using line sowing in accordance with IPP produced two basins of peanuts, compared with just one basin from the plot cultivated using traditional methods.
Geta, a member of the Bobazolo Farmer Field School, explained:
“Thanks to the training we received through the Farmer Field School, we have learned to respect planting distances and manage our fields more effectively. The results are visible. With line sowing, we harvested two basins of peanuts compared with just one using the traditional method.”
On the Mbari axis, in Bozoko village, World Vision met a group of 25 women enrolled in functional literacy classes. For several of them, this is their first opportunity to learn how to read, write and perform basic calculations.
Marie, a learner at the Bozoko literacy centre, shared her experience:
“I could neither read, write nor calculate. Today, thanks to the support of World Vision and Enabel, I can do my own calculations. When I go to the market, no one can cheat me anymore.”
In Bosembwa village, also located along the Mbari axis, beneficiaries highlighted the changes brought about by the project, particularly in agriculture and literacy.
Ruth, a project participant, said:
“Before, our harvests were small and we did not understand the importance of saving. Today, we have learned how to sow in lines, cultivate our fields more effectively, and read, write and calculate. Our eyes have been opened to so many things.”
The team also visited Bongbada-Sua village, along the Mbari axis, where another Farmer Field School is already showing promising results. Although harvesting has not yet taken place, the crops are developing well, giving farmers renewed hope for a good harvest.
Mondonga, a member of the Bongbada-Sua Farmer Field School, shared his experience:
“Before, we cultivated our fields according to the methods we had always used, without knowing about improved techniques. Thanks to the training we have received, we now practise line sowing and other good agricultural practices. The peanuts are developing well, and we are looking forward to the harvest with confidence.”
On the Nguya axis, in Bogose Koonu village, the team attended another peanut harvest carried out through the local Farmer Field School. Farmers there are also observing significant improvements as a result of the new agricultural techniques they have acquired.
Anastasie, a project beneficiary in Bogose Koonu, explained:
“We used to rely entirely on traditional methods. Today, we know how to sow in lines, how to intercrop peanuts and maize in the same field, and how to take better care of our crops. We can already see the changes in our fields.”
To strengthen the monitoring and follow-up of activities in the field, five bicycles were handed over to five field agents in the presence of local authorities. The bicycles will enable the facilitators to reach beneficiaries more effectively and provide closer support across the different project villages.
The Mbulusalo group chief welcomed the initiative, saying:
“We thank World Vision and Enabel for their support to our community. This assistance is contributing to the development of our villages and improving the living conditions of the population.”
The project covers the areas of Mbari, Bowase, Nguya and Banga-Kungu, reaching 1,000 direct beneficiaries, including 678 women. Among them, 300 women participate in literacy activities through 12 learning centres established across the four areas.
The project also supports 10 Farmer Field Schools and 10 Village Savings and Loan Association groups in each area. Through these interventions, Enabel and World Vision are helping vulnerable households in Gemena Territory strengthen food security, increase their incomes and build greater resilience for the future.