Rikolto is embarking on a new phase of its commitment to the resilience of agricultural systems in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This time, the organization is deploying its teams in the western region of the country as part of the AVENIR Project (Project for Empowerment through the Promotion of Nutrition-Sensitive, Inclusive, and Climate-Resilient Agricultural and Rural Entrepreneurship)a multi-sector project funded by the Congolese government,the French Development Agency (AFD,the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFADand the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

This strategic expansion to the West marks the launch of an ambitious initiative focused on two high-potential sectors: coffee and cocoa.

A first symbolic step: the deployment of teams on the ground

The first phase of activities under the AVENIR Project has officially begun with the deployment of operational staff in the field. This move reflects Rikolto's commitment to establishing a local presence and co-building, from the very beginning, strong dynamics with agricultural stakeholders, local authorities, and existing cooperatives..

The objective : to lay the foundations for a structured, participatory, and sustainable intervention, adapted to the specific ecological and socio-economic realities of the western provinces.

Why coffee and cocoa?

Western DRC boasts abundant agricultural potential that remains largely underexploited, particularly in provinces such as Kwilu, Kwango, and Maï-Ndombe. The climate there is particularly favorable for the revival of two long-neglected crops: robusta coffee and cocoa..

Through the AVENIR Project, Rikolto aims to revitalize these sectors in order to :

  • strengthen the incomes of small producers;
  • structure inclusive and resilient value chains;
  • improve the quality of production;
  • facilitate access to national and international markets;
  • and promote sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

A project based on a shared vision

The AVENIR Project is based on a multisectoral and integrated approach, uniting public and international stakeholders around a common ambition: to make agriculture a lever for economic, social, and environmental transformation.

For Rikolto, this new intervention complements the efforts already underway in the eastern part of the country, particularly in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, while affirming its desire to extend its vision to the entire Congolese territory.

And now?

In the coming months, activities will accelerate: participatory assessments, identification of target cooperatives, initial technical support... all key steps towards the concrete implementation of the AVENIR Project.

As the first teams settle into the field, a new chapter is opening for Rikolto in the western region, with the ambition of sustainably anchoring coffee and cocoa at the heart of local development.

Yvonne Kapinga @Rikolto

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