Sustainable Agriculture

The Virunga Alliance promotes the sustainable development of agricultural production by enhancing the value chain: supporting production by small-scale farmers and fishermen, enabling agro-industrial processing to add value to their produce, and facilitating distribution to local, national, and international markets. Electricity provided by the Virunga Alliance’s clean energy program allows businesses to expand. This has revitalised the private sector, particularly in agri-business processing.

Key Industries

Fishing

Access to electricity has enabled the creation of a network of over 30 cold rooms, supporting the fishing and vegetable cultivation industries. These facilities allow fresh produce to be stored and released into urban markets outside of harvest seasons, increasing sale prices for small producers and providing consumers with higher-quality, locally sourced produce, often replacing imports.

Wheat

The Virunga Alliance is revitalising the wheat sector in Lubero, transforming it into a thriving industry after decades of inactivity. By collaborating with smallholder farmers, the Alliance has introduced modern farming techniques, provided high-quality seeds, and organised cooperatives to cultivate nearly 80 hectares of wheat, with plans to expand to 500 hectares. The introduction of mechanised tools such as tractors, harvesters, and threshers has significantly increased efficiency, enabling faster harvesting and the preparation of additional land for cultivation. These efforts are not only boosting local agricultural productivity but also fostering economic growth and sustainable practices in the

Chocolate & Coffee

By supporting small-scale farmers, partnering with local cooperatives, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, the Virunga Alliance is transforming the chocolate and coffee industries. In 2020, the Park established the first chocolate factory in the Democratic Republic of Congo, producing chocolate entirely made within the country. Through these initiatives the Alliance is supporting over 6,000 farmers, boosting the regional economy while fostering sustainable livelihoods and reducing pressure on Virunga National Park’s natural resources.

Our Partners

Virunga National Park’s reputation is leveraged to promote local produce, with patented logos available to cooperatives committed to upholding product quality and reputation. Several businesses under the Virunga Alliance are already successfully operating within this framework.

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