Congo Farmers’ Resource Center Project – Humanitarian Organization

FUNDING PROPOSAL

Democratic Republic of Congo Farmers’ Resource Center Project

Contextualizing Gender-Based Violence, Food Insecurity, Unemployment, and Poverty in North Kivu Province.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), there has been an alarming surge in military-driven violence, resulting in an unfortunate moniker for the nation as the “Rape Capital of the World.” This surge in violence stems from the provision of military training and weaponry to undisciplined men who wrongly perceive masculinity as being demonstrated through dominance and violence against women. As a devastating consequence, over 200,000 women are now grappling with the enduring trauma and social stigma inflicted by sexual assault, with an undisclosed number potentially exposed to HIV/AIDS infection.

Over the course of two decades, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been plagued by a persistent civil war, resulting in the displacement of a staggering 2.7 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). These displaced individuals are now forced to reside in overcrowded and unsanitary camps within the North Kivu Province, a situation documented by UNHCR in 2015. Tragically, this prolonged conflict has brought about a paralyzing effect on essential social services, including healthcare and education.

The DRC’s economy is predominantly agrarian, with farming and self-sufficiency being the traditional way of life for its indigenous population. However, the ravages of war forcibly uprooted these communities from their ancestral homesteads, leaving them with no choice but to depend on the World Food Program (WFP) for their basic sustenance. It is imperative to recognize that while food assistance is vital for immediate relief, it falls short of providing a sustainable solution. Even the WFP itself faces the challenge of continually appealing for funds from donors, whose benevolence cannot be taken for granted. This underscores the pressing need for comprehensive and enduring interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of displacement and restoring self-reliance and dignity to these affected communities.

In 2015, the World Food Program (WFP) made an appeal for funding amounting to USD 216 million. It became apparent that donor fatigue was setting in, highlighting the need for a shift from providing immediate assistance to enabling self-sufficiency. To address the nutritional needs of the significant population of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), it is imperative to implement interventions that yield sustainable outcomes, rather than relying solely on emergency food aid. The key to breaking the cycle of dependency lies in involving the beneficiaries themselves and empowering them to contribute to lasting solutions. Historically, the dignity of African families has been gauged by their ability to provide for themselves, with other achievements following suit.

In addition to women and children, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is confronted with the challenge of reintegrating thousands of former combatants, including former child soldiers, who were once part of various militias that have been defeated in recent conflicts. Ensuring the successful rehabilitation of these battle-hardened young individuals is paramount to preempting the temptation for them to return to armed conflict, driven by desperation.

Among these ex-combatants are many innocent teenagers and school dropouts who were forcibly recruited by warlords, some of whom now face charges of war crimes before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Complicating the situation, hundreds of former M23 Congolese rebels who surrendered in neighboring Uganda now find themselves stranded in a country that is reluctant to continue hosting them. Meanwhile, the Congolese Army is equally hesitant to reintegrate them into its ranks. These individuals are met with a pervasive lack of trust and reluctance from all sides.

Left unaddressed, they represent potential candidates for recruitment by negative forces implicated in the ongoing mass displacement of local residents. The need for comprehensive efforts to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society is both urgent and critical to prevent further instability in the region.

During the colonial era in Africa, the agricultural sector primarily served as a source of raw materials to support industries in Western Europe. The focus was on extracting resources rather than creating integrated and self-sustaining agricultural systems. For example, Tanzania exported sisal but imported finished carpets, while Uganda exported coffee beans but imported expensive instant coffee. Despite agriculture remaining the cornerstone of African economies, it has often been overlooked and given low priority in national budgets.

Major African cities grapple with congestion as a result of an influx of young people seeking to escape rural poverty in pursuit of urban white-collar employment opportunities that are often scarce. Consequently, many school dropouts find themselves drawn into criminal activities, including prostitution, robbery, drug dealing, or rebel involvement, simply to make ends meet. Regrettably, farming has become a last-resort occupation that the youth tend to avoid for valid reasons.

The discouragement stems from the fact that raw agricultural products, without value-added processing, fetch low prices in international markets, leaving farmers disheartened. This situation appears to be perpetuated by a chain of conspiracies against African farmers. The first conspiracy lies in the reluctance of their own governments to make substantial investments in the agricultural sector and provide farmers with modern production techniques to enhance yields and quality. The second conspiracy involves middlemen who engage in exploitative trade practices, buying farm produce at meager prices and subsequently exporting it at significantly higher rates. This unscrupulous behavior disproportionately affects primary producers, many of whom lack education and experience in navigating such transactions.

The third conspiracy involves developed countries that impose trade barriers against agricultural imports from African nations while subsidizing their own farmers, thus undercutting foreign competition. This has contributed to the discrediting of farming as a less prestigious occupation, leading to widespread food insecurity and rampant unemployment. Addressing these systemic issues is essential to restore dignity to farming, enhance food security, and create economic opportunities for the African youth.

This project places its primary emphasis on addressing Food Security and Poverty Alleviation. Its core objective is to empower Congolese peasants to achieve self-reliance through productive work and break free from the cycle of aid dependency. Congolese farmers are inherently industrious individuals; however, they have often relied on outdated farming practices that yield insufficient harvests for domestic sustenance. It remains a perplexing paradox that in a country blessed with fertile soils and consistent year-round rainfall, “starving farmers” continue to exist.

In addition to low productivity, rural poverty persists due to a combination of challenges related to crop protection, post-harvest losses, and the absence of value-added processes. Insufficient storage facilities and a lack of agro-processing technology leave farmers vulnerable to crop damage from pests. Consequently, they are often compelled to hastily sell their perishable produce at significantly reduced prices rather than risk losing it entirely. This is particularly evident in the case of fresh fruits, which, when not processed into bottled juices, are sold at undervalued rates, further exacerbating the economic hardship faced by farmers.

A similar predicament affects vanilla farmers who, without the means to transform vanilla beans into valuable vanilla extract, struggle to generate substantial income. For example, Arabica coffee beans are typically purchased from farmers at a mere USD 0.50 per pound, while the same pound of coffee can command over USD 12.00 in the international market. The key to alleviating rural poverty and motivating farmers lies in value addition. This strategy can unlock the potential for higher earnings and empower farmers, all while efforts continue to remove barriers that hinder international trade.

In pursuit of this goal, it is imperative to educate farmers in modern agricultural practices that can enhance their yield. Simultaneously, they should be equipped with suitable technology to operate small-scale agro-processing enterprises aimed at adding value to their agricultural products. This holistic approach has the potential to bolster farmers’ incomes and elevate their overall living standards. Practical, hands-on training is essential to achieve this objective.

To facilitate this endeavor, we are establishing a Farmers’ Resource Center Project and a Demonstration Farm on a 200-hectare plot of land that has already been secured. Access to these facilities will not be contingent on academic qualifications; rather, it will be open to anyone with a passion for pursuing farming as a livelihood. Furthermore, individuals who do not speak French or English will receive instruction in their native languages to ensure inclusivity. The ultimate aim is to involve every enthusiastic farmer in this endeavor.

In conclusion, farmers will receive training encompassing fundamental aspects of farm management, including crop protection, animal husbandry, financial record-keeping, and marketing of agricultural produce.

In brief, the project will extend its benefits to the following groups

• Individuals who have experienced gender-based violence, including sexual assault, and subsequently been abandoned by their partners.
• Young individuals who became child soldiers, forsaking their education to join various militias that have since been defeated, leaving these former combatants without a means of livelihood.
• Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) whose lives were upended by the civil war and who currently depend on food assistance from the WFP, a support system that is evidently not viable in the long term.

Contextualizing GSC's Engagement with Civil Conflict Victims.

GSC holds registrations with the governments of the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda, where the organization is planning to initiate project implementations. In 2015, GSC, in partnership with the Information School at the University of Washington, successfully conducted two workshops on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution. These workshops were attended by individuals from the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa residing in the United States. They focused on drawing lessons from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), based in Arusha.

However, GSC recognizes the need to extend support beyond academia. The organization is exploring avenues to assist conflict victims in rebuilding their shattered lives before engaging them in the healing and reconciliation process. As part of this effort, a project addressing the essential needs of these beneficiaries in North Kivu Province has been conceptualized.

Additionally, GSC offers pro bono immigration services to assist legitimate undocumented refugees, particularly those from non-anglophonic countries, who aspire to settle in the USA or other destinations. Furthermore, GSC plays a role in raising awareness about the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Many potential applicants are unaware of the opportunity to receive training at the University of Notre Dame in entrepreneurial skills, leadership, innovation, and social transformation—skills that are greatly needed on the African continent.

Goals of the D.R.C Farmers' Resource Center Project

The overarching vision of the DRC-FARMERS’ RESOURCE CENTER PROJECT is succinctly expressed in the following statement:

This Project seeks to empower individuals affected by the civil war in North Kivu Province of the DRC, including IDPs, demobilized soldiers, and survivors of sexual violence, enabling them to reconstruct their disrupted socio-economic lives.

Specific Objectives

• To enhance food security and foster self-reliance among internally displaced individuals in the North Kivu Province of the DRC. The continued presence of WFP underscores the issue of food insecurity, highlighting that it represents a temporary and unsustainable intervention that does not contribute to achieving food sovereignty

•To educate farmers in contemporary agricultural practices, aiming to elevate production beyond subsistence levels, thereby generating surplus quantities for commercial purposes

• To introduce agro-processing and cottage industries that enhance the value of farmers’ harvests, extend the shelf life of agricultural produce, and reduce post-harvest losses

• We will provide training to farmers in basic bookkeeping, effective produce marketing, and strategic planning techniques

• To organize peasant farmers into cooperative unions to harness the advantages of economies of scale, which are accessible when producers collectively purchase inputs in large quantities, optimize the utilization of equipment, and share resources, including knowledge • We aim to revitalize and advocate for organic farming, in which the DRC possesses an undeniable comparative advantage on the African continent

• To restore and support internally displaced female survivors of sexual violence, a significant number of whom are living with HIV, facing stigmatization, and experiencing marginalization within their communities

• To provide training in farming skills to demobilized child soldiers, offering them new opportunities for dignified and secure livelihoods without resorting to the use of weapons or involvement in any criminal activities for sustenance

• To foster peace in the volatile North Kivu Province by substituting violence with economic production as a legitimate and dignified means of livelihood

• We plan to establish a revolving fund that enables our members to access loans, as traditional banks often require collateral securities. These loans will facilitate the acquisition of machinery for cottage industries, empowering individuals to become self-employed and create employment opportunities for others

• To establish a FARMERS’ FACILITIES PROJECT designed to provide training, internet research resources, financial services, marketing support, as well as sourcing and distribution of various farm inputs. These inputs include improved seeds, tools, apparel, reagents, building materials, walking tractors, fertilizers, and food-processing/packaging machinery, among others

• We seek to encourage dialogue and collaboration among diverse communities as a fundamental aspect of peace-building and fostering harmony

• Our goal is to provide pro bono legal and counseling services to survivors of rape and other marginalized individuals in need of assistance.

Sustainability

With a budget totaling 1,218,000 USD and access to 200 hectares of land generously provided by the cultural leader of Bwisha, the project can generate revenue to support supplementary initiatives and extend services to other regions and beneficiaries. This is contingent on the understanding that donor support represents a one-time opportunity.

The initial phase of the project focuses on educating farmers in value-added processes, allowing them to increase their income and improve their quality of life. Rather than selling soybeans at low prices, they will produce soybean oil and utilize byproducts from the oil mill as animal feed. Additionally, by milling their own maize, they can sell maize flour as a finished product and utilize maize bran for poultry feed production. This approach will effectively reduce post-harvest losses.

Organizational Identity

GSC is on a mission to stand in solidarity with victims of conflicts worldwide. Our primary objective is to rally both human and material resources required to address and alleviate human suffering.

Currently, we are actively operating in geographical areas including D.R.C, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan. However, we are also actively developing plans and initiatives aimed at expanding our presence to additional regions and parts of the world.