Goma’s resilient farmers

By Correspondent

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Goma is a bustling city on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa. While the population widely fluctuates and is difficult to attain, recent estimates place it at at least two million.

The mining, construction and e-commerce sectors contribute to the local economy. Meanwhile, a sizeable portion of its residents are farmers who profit from the city’s black, highly fertile soil enriched by the nutrient-rich spews of Mount Nyiragongo, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The mountain looms in the horizon, 13 km north of the city.

Though conflict in the city grabs news headlines around the world, many of its residents are determined not to let violence define Goma. Farmers persist to do the steady, grueling work of planting and harvesting crops in order to feed the city and keep it moving.

They do not seek glory for what they do. They simply want to consistently provide for their families, and in turn, contribute to their community.

“I’ve been farming for more than nine years. I didn’t have a job before. A friend introduced me to farming here in Goma. I learned how to cultivate and organize the field,” explained 65-year-old Joséphine Mapendano, a farmer in the Lac Vert neighborhood.

On her field, she primarily plants corn and is grateful that it gives her the financial sustenance she needs to feed her family and pay for her children’s school fees. A mother of six, she left her small town community to move to Goma, in search of better opportunities.

She hears the blows of gunshots in the distance, but does not let them frighten her. She has decided to stay in Goma. The city has become her home.

Nonprofit organizations assist farmers, like Mapendano, recognizing the critical role they play in society as the providers of local food staples needed to help stave off hunger and malnutrition. Some farmers largely practice subsistence agriculture, while others harvest enough to make trade and make profit.

Udungu concentrates its efforts to teach sustainable cultivation techniques to women farmers. Trainers go in the field with women farmers to give hands-on practical guidance. Paraclet Mugabo, is a supporting member.

“That’s why you see us here, taking this step to help women cultivate and maintain their fields properly,” she told bird. “So that they can also earn a little money to ensure that their families don’t go hungry. Women are fighting, and we thought it would be a good idea to do our bit, to see if they can improve their crops.”

Goma was once described as a breadbasket. Bananas, ginger, cauliflowers, beets, carrots, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, corn and even coffee thrive in the volcanic soil. The produce is traded at market stalls in the city’s commercial center Birere. Goma is currently not a major regional exporter of agricultural produce, therefore, local markets are a vital resource for farmers.

However, the ongoing conflict has led to market instability and displacement which has increased food insecurity.

Seeing business opportunities to foster food security, social innovators have introduced climate-resistance and high-yielding crop breeds to the local terrain.

For Kakule Chandrack, professor at the Free University of the Great Lakes Countries (ULPGL), the solution lies in urban agriculture and community training can also help meet food insecurity challenges.

He noted the uniqueness of Goma’s soil, in comparison to nearby localities, such as Sake (25 km away) and Minova (45 km away), which enables a crop such as amaranth grain to be produced in Goma.

“Here we are in the city, but we can see that amaranth can be grown,” he said. “We need to work with the people. You see, we are working with women… students, through their learning, also inspire the people.”

“Communities must also take charge of the fight against food insecurity.”

In his workshops, he teaches farming methods such as ridge cultivation: “Before, they cultivated on large areas of land, without using what we call ridges here. Ridges allow crops to have sufficient soil.”

“Several local initiatives and pilot projects are already aimed at modernizing farms,” reports OWANDJI Journal, an independent media outlet that covers issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “…these initiatives enable producers to better understand the use of new technologies, farm management, and marketing strategies to ensure the sustainability of their activities.”

In Bulengo district, agronomist Minani Patient, hopes that new agricultural methods will become mainstream and support the sector, which will ultimately, encourage local farmers.

“Permaculture in particular,” he said. The approach lays emphasis on sustainable, low-impact farming. Mulching with straw is a practice that he encourages.

“We cover the ground, and in the morning and evening, we water it. The straw helps us retain water. It helps the crops to have a constant supply of water,” he explained, pointing to his carefully mulched beds.

With these useful grassroots interventions, Goma’s farmers may be able to produce more, earn more and continue to do the best they can to provide nourishment to the people who call Goma home.