DRC: A cooperative provides women and youth access to land for production

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It’s a Monday morning in August in Kibulungu, an agricultural village located 20 kilometers from the city of Tshikapa, the capital of Kasaï Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In this region, it’s the harvest season for crops like millet, maize, cassava, cowpeas, and groundnuts. This morning, the intense rays of the sun indicate a hot day ahead. But Nadège Ngombe, a farmer, is already preparing to head to the fields. She says, “Thanks to the agricultural cooperative, we now have access to land that allows us to grow crops and earn a living.”

The women farmers of Kibulungu have organized themselves into a cooperative to gain access to land and increase their production.  Mrs. Ngombe explains that women and youth face difficulties in accessing land for food production. To address this, the agricultural cooperative brings them together into smaller local groups, making it easier for them to secure land and resources for farming. Two years ago, Mrs. Ngombe and other women joined the cooperative, which granted them access to four hectares of farmland. On this land, they cultivate cassava, maize, millet, squash, cowpeas, and groundnuts. 

To obtain the land, the cooperative negotiates agreements the land chief (a traditional authority), with a deposit of 100,000 Congolese francs ($35 US). With each harvest, the cooperative must give 10% of its production to the land chief.

Mrs. Ngombe estimates that her cooperative produced 24 tons of maize this season. She says, “I thank the Lord! A few years ago, we couldn’t have dreamed of this.”  After the harvest, members contribute 30% to the cooperative and divide the remaining 60% among themselves.

The cooperative also provides members with the option to sell their harvest for immediate cash, allowing them to pursue other activities with the income.

Suzanne Tshienda, a fellow farmer in Kibulungu and cooperative member, confirms that with the cooperative’s support she now earns enough to provide for her family. She explains that after the harvest is distributed, she sells a portion of it to obtain cash for her family’s daily expenses. Mrs. Tshienda says, “Previously, I struggled to care for my children. Now, I’m relieved and happy because they no longer suffer from malnutrition.”

Elie Ntumba, a young farmer and member of the Kibulungu cooperative, expresses his satisfaction with the cooperative. Mr. Ntumba says, “Thanks to the cooperative, I achieved my dream.” He shares that financial constraints forced him to pause his studies. However, with the income from his agricultural production, he has since returned to school and earned his state diploma in nutrition.

Pascal Santu, an agricultural engineer and provincial coordinator of the agricultural cooperative, explains that the cooperative actively recruits women and young people who are interested in agriculture, and supports them in this venture. Interested individuals can register for free at the cooperative’s headquarters. The cooperative then provides them with ready-to-use land and essential production tools, including inputs, hoes, and rakes. 

The formation of the Kibulungu cooperative has granted women and youth access to land for cultivation and opportunities to earn an income. Mrs. Ngombe is pleased with their progress, noting that, besides generating income for members, the cooperative enhances the community’s food security by ensuring a steady supply of seeds. She hopes to acquire more land in the future to expand their production further. 

This story is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Farm Radio International and Catholic Relief Services, recipient of agreement and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

Photo: Members of the cooperative taken in DRC by Lydia Fuamba, 2024.