In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a silent revolution is brewing in the wetlands of South-Kivu. Here, smallholder sorghum farmers, predominantly women, are adapting to climate change through innovative, climate-smart agronomic practices. A recent study, published in the journal ‘Sustainable Futures’ (translated from French as ‘Futures Durables’), sheds light on these practices and their potential to transform not just local livelihoods, but also the broader agricultural landscape and energy sector.
Géant B. Chuma, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Université Evangélique en Afrique (UEA) in Bukavu, South-Kivu, and the University of Liège in Belgium, has been working closely with these farmers. “The diversity of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices we’ve seen is remarkable,” Chuma notes. “But more importantly, we’ve identified which practices truly make a difference in sorghum yield.”
The study, conducted among 475 sorghum farmers, identified 22 CSA practices, ranging from using tolerant varieties to strategic intercropping and organic manure application. However, only eight of these practices were found to significantly improve sorghum grain yields. These include tolerant varieties, Zaï pits (a technique involving digging holes to collect water and nutrients), mulching, strategic intercropping, crop rotation and diversification, liming, and organic manure.
The implications of this research are vast, particularly for the energy sector. Sorghum is not just a staple food; it’s also a potential source of bioenergy. Improved yields and more resilient farming practices could lead to a more stable supply of sorghum for biofuel production, contributing to energy security.
Moreover, the study highlights the importance of socio-economic factors in the adoption of CSA practices. “While women are heavily involved in sorghum farming, they often face constraints like limited access to land and reliance on family labor,” Chuma explains. “Addressing these issues could significantly boost the effectiveness of CSA practices.”
The research also underscores the need for robust extension services to empower farmers. By providing the right knowledge and tools, these services can help farmers optimize CSA practices, ensuring better yields and more resilient farming systems.
Looking ahead, this research could shape future developments in climate-smart agriculture and the energy sector. It underscores the need for tailored, context-specific solutions that consider both environmental and socio-economic factors. As climate change continues to pose challenges, such an approach could be key to building resilient, sustainable food and energy systems.
For the smallholder farmers of South-Kivu, this research is more than just academic; it’s a roadmap to a more secure future. And for the rest of us, it’s a reminder that the solutions to some of our biggest challenges often lie in the hands of those closest to the land.