Publications

Enable RDC Conducts Direct Payment to Farmers in Buzi

As part of its commitment to fair and sustainable agricultural development, the Enable RDC team traveled to Buzi on June 16, 2025, to carry out direct payments to partner farmers. This field activity, conducted with transparency and care, aimed to compensate local producers for the crops delivered under the program. Several farmers — many of them women — received their payments in cash after identity and delivery documents were verified. “We want every farmer to have direct and timely access to their earnings. This is a concrete way to value their work and strengthen our partnership,” explained a member of the Enable RDC team during the mission. This payment initiative is part of a broader effort to bring Enable RDC’s services closer to rural communities, ensuring trust, accountability, and efficient service delivery. Enable RDC remains dedicated to empowering smallholder farmers through practical support, helping to build a fairer, stronger, and more resilient agricultural ecosystem.

Enable RDC Conducts Direct Payment to Farmers in Buzi Lire la suite »

Our Teams’ Tireless Commitment to Intact Harvests and Food Security

The project’s primary objective is to ensure the vitality of local agriculture and the sustainability of harvests. It is within this context that our teams work tirelessly, day in and day out, to protect and preserve every grain, every vegetable, every fruit, to ensure they reach the dependent populations intact. It’s a constant battle against unforeseen circumstances and adversities, carried out with dedication and expertise. Context and Justification of Our Commitment: Constant Threats to Harvests: Unpredictable Climate Conditions: The region is subject to extreme climatic variations, from torrential rains to prolonged droughts, including strong winds. Each weather event poses a direct threat to developing or mature crops. Our teams are on the ground implementing adaptation and protection measures, such as setting up emergency drainage systems or protecting fragile plants. Pests and Diseases: Crops are constantly exposed to attacks from various pests and the rapid spread of plant diseases. This requires continuous monitoring and the swift application of control solutions to prevent massive losses. Our agronomic experts advise and support farmers in these daily challenges. Fragile Infrastructure and Difficult Access: The lack of adequate infrastructure, particularly good roads and suitable storage systems, makes transporting harvests to markets difficult and perilous. Post-harvest losses are a major issue, and our teams strive to minimize these losses at every stage. The Race Against Time for Food Security: For millions of people in the DRC, including a large part in the east of the country, access to sufficient and nutritious food is a daily challenge. Every kilogram of food saved directly contributes to the fight against hunger. Preserving harvests is not just a matter of yield; it’s a matter of survival and dignity for families. The Crucial Role of Our Field Teams: Support and Training: Our technicians and agronomists are in direct contact with farmers, training them in resilient best agricultural practices, early recognition of threats, and appropriate storage techniques. Rapid Intervention: Faced with an epidemic or a climatic event, responsiveness is essential. Our teams are ready to intervene to limit damage and implement emergency solutions. Logistics and Security: Harvest protection doesn’t stop in the field. Our teams also work to secure transport and storage, sometimes under difficult conditions, to ensure that products arrive in perfect condition. Our Commitment: An Act of Resilience and Hope: By implementing the « Block Farming » strategy, we are not just promoting more efficient agriculture; we are fighting to ensure that the fruit of farmers’ labor is not lost. It is a constant commitment to the resilience, productivity, and food security of the South Kivu communities, a collective effort where every member of our team plays an indispensable role in making every harvest a victory.

Our Teams’ Tireless Commitment to Intact Harvests and Food Security Lire la suite »

Restoring the Heart of Africa: ENABLE’s Role in Reforesting the Congo Basin and Empowering Farmers

In the heart of Africa, the Congo Basin second only to the Amazon in size is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation. The Restore Congo Basin Programme (RCBPro) is leading this charge, aiming to reverse decades of deforestation and biodiversity loss while empowering local communities. At the forefront of this movement is ENABLE, a key partner supporting smallholder farmers through reforestation and agroforestry. A Landscape in Crisis and Recovery The Congo Basin is a critical global carbon sink, absorbing more carbon than it emits. Yet, it faces mounting threats. According to the 2024 WWF Living Planet Report, wildlife populations in the region have declined by 73% over the past 50 years, jeopardizing the forest’s ability to regenerate and sequester carbon. These declines disrupt ecological balance, affecting everything from seed dispersal to forest structure. RCBPro is responding with urgency and scale. The programme is expanding across North-Kivu, Ituri, Katanga, and South-Kivu, building on successful pilots and leveraging private capital to catalyze further investment. Its goal: to restore ecosystems, sequester millions of tons of carbon, and improve the lives of millions of vulnerable farming families. ENABLE: Scaling Regenerative Solutions ENABLE’s contribution is both strategic and grassroots. In 2024–2025 alone, ENABLE produced and distributed over 20,000 Grevillea trees through its nurseries. These trees are now integrated into coffee agroforestry systems, where they: Provide shade and wind protection for coffee crops Improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation Enhance biodiversity and microclimates Reforest previously degraded land This is part of a broader shift toward regenerative agriculture, a system that restores soil health, increases water retention, and boosts farm resilience. With climate change intensifying, regenerative practices are proving essential. They not only reduce input costs but also increase yields and long-term farm profitability. A Corridor of Hope RCBPro also aligns with the DRC government’s ambitious Green Corridor initiative, which envisions a sustainable ecological corridor stretching 540,000 km² from Eastern DRC to Kinshasa. ENABLE’s work directly contributes to this vision, helping to stitch together fragmented landscapes into thriving, biodiverse ecosystems. Looking Ahead The stakes are high, but so is the potential. With continued support, ENABLE and its partners are not just planting trees, they’re planting the seeds of a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for the Congo Basin and its people.

Restoring the Heart of Africa: ENABLE’s Role in Reforesting the Congo Basin and Empowering Farmers Lire la suite »

The ENABLE RDC Block Farming Project

Project Background Summary The ENABLE RDC Block Farming Project is a comprehensive agricultural development initiative launched in the Minova region of Kalehe territory, South Kivu Province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This region, though agriculturally rich, has been severely affected by decades of armed conflict, displacement, and chronic food insecurity. The project was conceived as a response to these challenges, aiming to revitalize local agriculture, empower vulnerable populations, and strengthen food systems through a structured and market-oriented approach. Block Farming Model At the heart of the project is the block farming model, which organizes smallholder farmers into cooperative production units. This model allows for the efficient distribution of agricultural inputs, such as improved seed varieties (maize Sam4vita, beans HM21, and soybean Imperial), and provides access to technical training, credit for inputs, and post-harvest support. The project specifically targets internally displaced persons (IDPs), host families, and other vulnerable groups, ensuring inclusivity and equity in access to resources. Implementation and Value Chain Development The project is implemented by ENABLE RDC in partnership with AALI, and it integrates a full agricultural value chain—from seed distribution and cultivation to processing and commercialization. A key innovation is the establishment of a local milling unit that produces branded maize flour (“YA PWANI”), which is sold in local markets and urban centers like Goma and Bukavu. This not only boosts local food availability but also creates income-generating opportunities for farmers and youth. Resilience and Adaptation Despite the outbreak of renewed violence by the M23 rebel group, which disrupted road access and posed logistical challenges, the project demonstrated remarkable resilience. The team adapted by using Lake Kivu for transport, maintained strong community engagement, and continued field operations through a decentralized network of agronomists and mobilizers. As a result, the project successfully cultivated 50 hectares, engaged 377 households, and harvested 75 tonnes of maize in its initial phase. Capacity Building and Sustainability Beyond food production, the project emphasizes capacity building, especially for youth and women, through training in mechanization, sustainable farming practices, and entrepreneurship. It also promotes environmentally responsible agriculture, including crop rotation, integrated pest management, and water-efficient irrigation. Conclusion In essence, the ENABLE RDC Block Farming Project is not just about growing food—it’s about building resilience, restoring dignity, and laying the groundwork for long-term rural development in one of the DRC’s most fragile regions. ‟Yes, we can”

The ENABLE RDC Block Farming Project Lire la suite »