Context
Despite abundant natural resources and a relatively stable political situation, the reconstruction process in the province of Katanga in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is limited to the urban areas along the so-called Copperbelt. In the eastern and northern part of the province in particular, the rural population has yet to profit from a ‘peace dividend’ in terms of economic and social development. The massive migration movements in the province over many years have resulted in systematic neglect of agricultural land and the disappearance of almost all the region’s livestock. This also affects the district of Moba, which lacks the technology and advisory services as well as means of production, such as small items of equipment and seed, to make better use of the existing resources.
Despite adequate potential for agricultural production, the population lack sustainable agricultural output that goes beyond self-sufficiency and the cash urgently required to procure other products. In many places, people do not achieve food self-sufficiency. In particular, the desolate state of rural road networks prevents the reconstruction of local economic cycles. In addition, government provision of basic services, such as drinking water, health care and schooling, is inadequate. The drinking water supply is of particular concern.
Objective
There has been a sustainable improvement in the productive and social livelihoods of the population in selected communities of Moba district.
Approach
Medium-term structural development, reconstruction and conflict-free reintegration – these are the basic principles of the project. Within this framework, GIZ is helping the population to implement their own development initiatives, to increase their productivity and income, and to better administer and use the rural infrastructure.
One particular focus is to develop local economic cycles in agriculture. Another focus is on reintegrating the different social groups, which is necessary due to past migration movements. Social cohesion is a fundamental prerequisite for improving productive and social livelihoods in the long term and supporting untapped production and marketing potential.
The project involves measures designed to provide direct support to the rural population and to strengthen local government structures. The local administrations and agricultural extension services in particular play an active part in implementing the project, so that in future they will be able to offer the necessary services in rural areas on their own responsibility.
Results achieved so far
In the project areas, agricultural output has increased and diversified (maize, beans, rice, wheat, soya, vegetables). Alongside the distribution of farm inputs, above all the intensive capacity building for 81 extension officers and up to 6,000 rural households is bringing about sustainable change.
Ongoing road and bridge construction works on the Pweto-Moba and the Mitobo-Musosa axes have improved the regional road network. There has been a marked increase in the movement of goods and agricultural products, providing an additional stimulus for local agricultural production.
The increasing commercialisation of agricultural production, together with the cash-for-work programme used in the construction projects, has helped to raise people’s incomes. Households are now able to finance more costs of education and medical care from their own resources. At the same time, an informal sector has begun to emerge in the communities, which the project is helping to encourage with targeted income-generating measures (craft trades, further processing of agricultural products).
Schools, health centres and water points supported by the project (administration, maintenance and development) help to raise the quality of basic rural services, while building social cohesion in the communities.
A programme carried out jointly with the health service in 25 villages with advice on nutrition and hygiene is positively influencing domestic dietary habits and is improving sanitary conditions. In combination with improved food production, this is helping to fight local malnutrition.