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Too Many Tomatoes in the Congo? A snapshot of Episcopal Relief and Development's work in DRC
Katakela is a rural village about 1.5 hours outside of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, where ERD is working in partnership with the Diocese of Katanga on a food security program. The Diocese has been working with a group of 20 male farmers and 45 female farmers, teaching them about crop cultivation and diversification, market assessment and transportation, and adding value to the crops. The income generated from these activities has helped the community lift themselves out of an unimaginable poverty. Through working together, the community has generated a small amount of income that now provides for their children’s school fees, some uniforms and basic needs like pencils.
They have successfully cultivated their land and increased the amount of arable land by working together during different seasons and diversifying crops from tomatoes, potatoes and maize in the rainy season to onions, cabbage and squash in the dry season. These vegetables provide income and are sources of nutrition for the community.
Ambroise Shinpauka, is a farmer that has been working on the ERD/Diocese of Katanga food security program for about two years. He originally had a small garden in the back of his home and a little land but it was not very productive. From the program he has received agricultural training, technical assistance from local agricultural professors in Lubumbashi, basic tools needed for tilling the land, and community support through a group of farmers. He has expanded his fields and we visited to see all of the maize, potatoes and tomatoes he has grown. The amount of tomatoes was truly unbelievable, but Ambroise said that some would go to waste. The market is far away and their bicycles limit the amount of produce they can transport. They are working on solving that issue, but at least we are pleased to hear they now have a problem of abundance!
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