Maniema : Validates provincial agroecology strategy

The province of Maniema has taken a decisive step forward with the official validation of its provincial strategy on agroecology.

The workshop, held at Saint Joseph Hall and organized by the NGO Congo Basin Conservation Society (CBCS-Network), brought together authorities, civil society, farmers, and technical partners around a shared vision for sustainable agricultural development , September 22, 2025 at Kindu .

At the conclusion of the discussions, participants adopted several major resolutions. They committed to strengthening food sovereignty by promoting agroecology as a key tool for climate change adaptation and resilience. They also agreed to preserve traditional and indigenous farmers’ seeds in order to safeguard genetic diversity and community autonomy, to support women’s empowerment and youth involvement to ensure an inclusive approach, and to promote the traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples alongside scientific innovations. Furthermore, the stakeholders emphasized the importance of organizing and revitalizing local and territorial markets to facilitate the circulation of agroecological products, fighting bushfires while protecting forests outside protected areas, and establishing a permanent consultation framework to ensure effective follow-up and implementation of the strategy.

In his remarks, the CBCS-Network focal point highlighted that agroecology is “an inclusive and sustainable path to protect biodiversity, manage soils and water responsibly, and safeguard the rights of local communities.”

For his part, the provincial Minister of Environment welcomed the initiative and urged all actors to turn the resolutions into tangible actions:

 

“What we have validated here is not an end in itself, but the beginning of an ambitious process. It is now our responsibility to translate this strategy into concrete results, for the benefit of our farmers, our families, and future generations.”

With this validation, Maniema aims to position itself as a model of agroecology in the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond, capitalizing on its rich natural and human resources to build sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agriculture.