Cultivating Tomorrow: The Future of Agriculture in the DRC

Toza Productions (2025)

Agriculture in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a lifeline for rebuilding communities amidst conflict. More than an economic activity, agriculture and farming are a stabilizing force that provides food and restores dignity after instability disrupts markets. Most farmers in Congo use knowledge passed down through generations to cultivate cassava, maize, plantations, and vegetables. Even as modern technology changes farm work, Congolese women and young people who work on these plots prioritize water. Specifically, they prioritize access to clean and safe drinking water, as this is a determining factor in crop health, community health, hygiene, and disease prevention. In places where these sources of water are contaminated or scarce, the challenge is evident through their daily lives, whether with cooking and farming, or caring for children. Yet, within the communities and past the borders of the country, innovators and NGOs work towards sustainable farming methods and rainwater harvesting systems that can provide a cleaner and safer future for families that depend on agriculture.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has more farms available than any other African country. Because of its proximity to the Congo River, which flows through the Congo Rainforest, agriculture becomes a primary activity for residents. With an estimated 80 million hectares of arable land and only 10% of which is used, the agricultural sector makes up for 18% of the country’s GDP, accounting for over 60% of jobs¹. The country’s diverse landscape provides opportunities for a wide diversity of crops, from coffee and cocoa in the east to palm oil cultivated in the western region.

Beyond the country’s agricultural aspect, the differences between large plantations and smallholder farmers reveal a complexity within the landscape. On the one hand, smallholder farmers make up a majority of the agricultural workforce and rely on traditional tools, family labor, and passed-down knowledge. On the other hand, larger plantations have greater access to resources, including machinery and better markets. The effects of this imbalance are seen in productivity, income, and the ability to adapt in broader environments. As farming faces complications due to the various soil and climate differences across the region, skilled farmers are forced to broaden their skills to unfamiliar territories. For instance, where volcanic soils in the east support higher value crops like coffee, heavy rainfall and dense forests in the central basin create difficulties for maintaining soil fertility.

Moreover, decades of conflict have created an instability in Congo’s agricultural business, interrupting farming cycles and reducing production in areas where agriculture is the main part of people’s lives. Despite the displacement forcing farmers to relocate, their resilience has been truly remarkable. Organizations such as Farm Africa have further provided a strong hand for rural communities to make a sustainable living through farming, and for developing a large-scale agroforestry program. As communities in Congo share resources and support each other, they, as well as the organizations that assist them, all play crucial roles in strengthening the community after conflict and restoring food production.

Furthermore, water infrastructure has remained an essential part of the agriculture process, often being the make-or-break factor of the cycle. In the Congo, seasonal rain patterns determine farming cycles, though an increase in the threat of climate change has made rainfall increasingly unpredictable. In fact, rainfall weeks have become even more intense, showing numbers of being 9-19% stronger since the past eighty years. This number is projected to increase to about 20-30% in the next fifty years, with the rainy seasons becoming rainier and the dry seasons becoming drier. Overall, this significantly disrupts crop growth, even becoming a concern for water availability and accessibility. Especially for women and children who are primarily responsible for collecting water for their household and farms, long distances to sources reduce time for income-generating activities and education. In response to these struggles, several community members have begun innovating and creating systems that could make lives easier for Congolese farmers. Primarily, low-cost irrigation systems help with crop maintenance during the dry seasons, and community nurseries for seeds preserve varieties in resistance to climate change. An increase in access to technology has provided citizens with essential mobile and weather apps that can help them predict the weather to better schedule farming patterns. External youth-led initiatives have introduced several tools, including digital mapping of water points to better locate sources, and small-scale solar pumps that support the environment and human health. Projects such as the CGIAR Fund, as part of the Alliance Biodiversity & CIAT organization, focus on transforming agrofood systems in regions of Congo in response to climate change.

Though climate change poses a significant threat to the DRC, the country holds immense potential to face this global issue. Its extensive forests store carbon, and its fertile soils can sustain proper agriculture. Even its rivers thoroughly support renewable energy. An increase in inventions like community wells and soil-friendly farming techniques has demonstrated how local innovation can transform global issues. This reduces the burden on those who rely on Congo’s agriculture, including the women and youth responsible for travelling long distances just for water. It improves crop reliability and variety, overall strengthening the bonds between communities. As they spread, they offer hope for the Democratic Republic of Congo and a green, sustainable future.

Written by Vedica Chudiwale

References:

1 https://www.ambardcusa.org/invest-in-the-drc/industries/agriculture/