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Project to restore forest ecosystems and improve the livelihoods of the community living on the shores of Lake Kivu in the Kalehe territory

The villages of Kalehe territory in South Kivu are threatened by large-scale deforestation in search of agricultural land, housing, firewood, construction, and pasture. Research studies have revealed the adverse consequences of degradation in recent years, including the abandonment of certain crops such as beans, corn, sorghum, and other staple crops that are not adapted to degraded soils. The constant is that the population is in a vulnerable situation in terms of food security.
Among the recorded consequences are the severe degradation of forest ecosystems, erosion on sloping land, declining agricultural production, rising temperatures, food scarcity, landslides and their consequences, climate change and its effects, etc.
This project was implemented to restore ecosystems through reforestation and improve community livelihoods. We achieved the following results:
– 6 agroforestry tree nurseries established;
– Population awareness raised about the restoration of agroforestry trees;
– 15,000 agroforestry tree seedlings planted in the Kalehe region;
– 80% of environmental agents and ecological facilitators in the Kalehe region have been retrained in agroforestry;
– 80% of the project's beneficiaries have seen their livelihoods improved, related to labor and agricultural production;
– 85% of the local population have adopted innovative techniques that increase agricultural productivity.

Polydor MUSAFIRI
Co-Founder & Executive Secretary - YILNAC Network