Cocoa farming: A path out of poverty in the DRC – The example of the Amkeni Mkulima Cooperative
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), cocoa farming has emerged as a crucial tool for economic development, providing an opportunity to combat poverty. Recognized for its high societal and commercial value, cocoa offers significant benefits to farmers and their cooperatives.
In the eastern part of the country, specifically in South Kivu, the sustainable production and processing of cocoa are gradually opening access to new markets, according to Thierry Munga, Managing Director of the Amkeni Mkulima Cooperative. The cooperative currently supports over 150 cocoa farmers in the Bunyakiri region, near the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, an area considered a pilot site for this crop.
Thierry emphasizes that, compared to previous years, cocoa farming has become a vital source of income for farmers in Bunyakiri, particularly in the eastern part of the country. This explains the rapid expansion of cocoa farming in the region.
Technical support for resilient agriculture
The Amkeni Mkulima Cooperative plays a key role in providing technical support to cocoa farmers through knowledge enhancement and the adoption of agricultural strategies and techniques adapted to climate change. With this support, cocoa has become a driver of development, helping to lift farmers in South Kivu out of poverty. More and more farmers in the Kalehe region are embracing cocoa production, with the ambition of expanding it across the entire province.
“In South Kivu, cocoa farming is gaining importance, especially for economic resilience. In Bunyakiri, for example, lands that were once neglected are now being utilized thanks to the awareness and the provision of high-quality seeds to the farmers. The Amkeni Mkulima Cooperative, active in the region since 2012, unites households around the Kahuzi-Biega National Park and other farmers who have taken on the challenge of cocoa production,” explains Thierry Munga.
Thanks to the cooperative’s approach, cocoa is now seen as a means of economic diversification in an area long dominated by other crops such as oil palm and bananas.
“We do not view cocoa merely as a consumer product, but as an opportunity for diversifying our livelihoods and local economy. Our fields are not solely dedicated to cocoa; we also grow coffee, bananas, and engage in pig and fish farming, which helps ensure food security in the region. Since 2022, Amkeni Mkulima has around 150 members producing environmentally-friendly cocoa, primarily aimed at the local market,” Thierry adds.
Cocoa and environmental preservation: A challenge met
Historically, cocoa production in Bunyakiri led to significant deforestation, threatening biodiversity, particularly in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. However, with the intervention of the Amkeni Mkulima Cooperative, farmers have committed to reforesting the area. Despite these efforts, the European regulation on deforestation continues to weigh on cocoa producers in the region.
“We chose to focus on local processing to navigate around the restrictions imposed by the European Union. Unfortunately, in the DRC, there have been no agricultural policies in response to these new requirements, which will come into effect in January 2025. Since 2019, the European Union has imposed strict standards regarding traceability and environmental compliance. On our side, we’ve taken steps to geolocate the plantations of our members and to work on forest restoration because cocoa is sensitive to climate change. We see our cocoa as a solution for both farmers and the preservation of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park,” Thierry explains.
A regulation or a neo-colonial grip on African production?
Thierry Munga expresses concerns about the European regulation, which he views as a form of neo-colonial control over African production. According to him, this regulation hampers the autonomy of African farmers, whose decisions are dictated by European buyers.
“This is an attempt to control African production. The restrictions imposed by this regulation complicate the exploitation of our products, as it is ultimately the buyers who set the conditions. This places us in a position of dependency. We need to remain vigilant,” he warns.
It is this skepticism that leads the cooperative to focus on the local market. “We believe it is better to strengthen the local market, as the DRC has millions of mouths to feed. Cocoa is not only used to make chocolate; it is also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and many other areas. We are not in a hurry to turn to international markets,” Thierry concludes.
With the entry into force of the European Union’s “zero-deforestation” regulation in June 2023, cocoa producers will need to prove that their crops comply with strict environmental standards. African governments, including the DRC, are urged to take action to support producers through this transition.
However, Thierry Munga laments the inaction of the Congolese government in preparing local producers for the requirements of the international market. He fears that cocoa producers will be left to fend for themselves in the face of these new challenges.
