May and June are harvesting months in Kivu: beans, sorghum, maize
and soya are harvested from the fields, which are sown in February.
In spite of the increasing confusion between the seasons globally,
the calendar regulates life here, as life is essentially based on
the agricultural clock.
In the humid regions, below the hilltops and in the valleys, most
of the crops are market garden, such as carrots, onions, cabbage and
aubergines.
The two hectares managed by our partner, GEPR - Groupe Engagé
pour la Promotion Rurale - (group engaged in rural promotion), are
community seed-gardens. These are cultivated and tended by all the
members of the association. At harvest time, each family receives
its due, and the rest of the harvest is stocked in barns to be given
to the members the following planting season as seeds. The surplus
is sold to buy new agricultural equipment.
The grain mill at Irongo, which was inaugurated a few months ago,
is functioning very well and is attracting more and more clients
from neighbouring villages. The flour that is produced is of high
quality and enables the diversification of foodstuffs.
The basic food is still manioc, the "mamas" prepare it
into a rounded rolled pastry called "fou-fou" which they
serve with vegetables, and on occasion with a small amount of meat
or small fish.
Our actions also include the breeding of small animals such as
rabbits, goats, chickens and guinea-pigs. Thanks to these breeding
endeavours, a small amount of manure is made available to fertilise
the fields. They also feed the families. A system of rotating credit
has been put in place : a household receives a couple of animals
after reproduction. They must in turn produce another couple of
animals, which will be given in turn to another household, until all
the members possess livestock. It is a promising start to breeding
capacity.
A small canteen has also been built not far from the mill with
the assistance of the AAPK. It is the local greengrocers. All the
basics are sold there .. sugar, salt, flour, rice, soap. It should
be remembered that the nearest shop is 12km away!
All these actions, along with basic technical training
(agriculture, conservation, breeding, management) aim to improve the
standard of living for the local population of South Kivu, by
improving their food intake and quality, and enabling them to become
autonomous. We call this "food security and development".
These are the kinds of projects that you are contributing to via
your generosity.
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