PROMOTION OF FARMING PROGRAMS
To support the fight against poverty and ensure the population enjoys food security, it is vital to modernize the agriculture programs at OHED.
Core tasks in this respect include promoting the private sector in the DR Congo, enhancing the professionalism of agricultural processing businesses, and diversifying production chains in both urban and rural areas.
FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS
Value addition has increased sustainably in the production chains for cassava, rice, groundnut, cashew, tomato, cabbage, watermelon, and pumpkin, which play a role in reducing poverty and famine in OHED operational zones.
At the same time, social and environmental standards have improved in areas where OHED members conducted regular training sessions on food security. A sustainable management system that meets the requirements of the environmental foundation is being successfully applied at the OHED FOOD CENTER.
AGRIBUSINESS AND REVENUE GENERATING ACTIVITIES
The agricultural sector holds a significant role in developing countries and the DR Congo is not an exception. According to data from the World Bank, agriculture is the largest employer of labor in the DR Congo. Employment in agriculture (percent of total employment) in the DR Congo was reported as having challenges in terms of reduction of workers in 2019. The sector is also the largest income-generating activity, with contributions to the gross domestic product (GDP) of about 24–30 percent. Unfortunately, the agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to violent armed conflicts and deficiency of sufficient resources. In particular, through killings, injuries, maiming of individuals, threats, fear, migration, and displacement, violent armed conflicts directly affect the labor supply and demand of agricultural households. OHED members have been launching projects to ensure that problems related to famine and malnutrition are reduced in operational zones.
HARVESTING CROPS IN FARMLANDS
In general, OHED members harvest crops for selling, assisting vulnerable community groups, and/or generating revenues. They also use food items for enhancing the health conditions of malnourished people (including both children and adults).
