DR Congo: Progress in Sustainable Agriculture Spring 2023 Report OUR GRATITUDE Thanks to your belief in Opportunity International’s work in the DR Congo, we are reaching more people than ever. Our field staff on the ground is comprised of committed professionals trained to support and walk with our clients on their journey out of extreme poverty. Thank you for walking alongside the farmers and families in the DRC, as they sow and reap, plan and execute, learn and grow. What life-giving hope your belief has inspired: the hope of living a healthy, fulfilling life free from poverty.
THE NEED The DR Congo continues to rank among the poorest countries in the world (176 out of 189 countries ranked), with one of the highest rates of extreme poverty (surviving on about $2.15/day) in the world. Child malnutrition is widespread, and most of the population lives in conditions of moderate to serious food Farmer Support Agent training, DRC insecurity. Most of the population (70%) is engaged in subsistence farming; the DRC has more available farmland than any other country in Africa, with an agricultural potential to feed close to two billion people.
THE SOLUTIONS Guided by our north star—to reach those most marginalized—our momentum in Gemena and the wider Ubangi region is undeterred. We are keenly focused on enabling farmers to grow more and get more income, Opportunity’s proven model of training, access to financial services, and group support helps farmers improve their yields and increase their incomes. It is worth calling out one third of that three-pronged model: best-in-class training offered by Opportunity staff. The impact of training small-scale farmers and agriculture-related business owners in financial literacy and business management cannot be overstated. Digitization, budgeting, forecasting—these valuable business skills help farmers and agribusinesses strengthen their operations and sustainability.
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