[Science News] - Coffee, agroforestry and reforestation increase climate resilience in the D.R. Congo

Meise Botanic Garden also carries out projects far beyond national borders. In this article, we highlight two projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The first project is a sustainable coffee plantation of 50 hectares, the second an agroforestry and reforestation project of 1500 hectares.  The projects are possible thanks to international climate funding from the government of Flanders. Both projects take climate change into account and thus offer a sustainable future for the local population.

Robusta coffee in Yangambi

Worldwide, there are more than 100 wild species of coffee, but only two are used for beverages: Arabica and Robusta. Researcher Piet Stoffelen – coordinator for the coffee projects – is working with the latter: "In Congo and specifically in Yangambi in the centre, you will find both wild and cultivated Robusta coffee with a high untapped potential for cultivation and quality. That's a good thing, because the more popular Arabica coffee is increasingly threatened by climate change. This allows Robusta to make up for the decline of Arabica, especially knowing that the global demand for coffee is still growing. The supply is under pressure, partly due to climate change."

The project started in 2020 and will run until the end of 2024. In total, the local population will have planted 50 hectares of coffee in mixed agroforestry systems. These offer many advantages, according to Piet: "We plant the coffee mixed with other crops, such as bananas, and with trees. In the first years, the banana plants provide shade to the coffee bushes and the young trees, and they produce bananas as food. In this way, the farmers already have a yield before the coffee bushes bear their first coffee cherries and the fruit trees bear fruit. The shade helps to protect coffee bushes from rising temperatures. We also plant local tree species that host caterpillars, an important source of protein-rich food and a delicacy for the local population. The mix of crops gives farmers more certainty: if one fails, there is still the other crop to fall back on." In this way, the cultivation of Robusta can help the local population to transition from an unsustainable 'slash-and-burn' to an agricultural system that is sedentary, sustainable, and climate resilient. In addition, both the coffee plants and the trees remove CO2 from the air.

This project was only possible thanks to the active participation of the local population and the help of our partners: KU Leuven, EFICO, R&SD, CIFOR and the Congolese research institute INERA. Meise Botanic Garden has been anchored in the region for some time and has built up a strong network there. "Originally, we planned to create coffee plantations for and with the local farmers as well as 10 hectares of experimental fields, but eventually demo fields have also been planted in a technical school, in a model farm and in farmer field schools. These are initiatives where local farmers exchange knowledge and expertise. We are also developing the infrastructure for the transformation of the coffee cherries into green coffee and optimizing this process. Our goal is to improve the quality of the coffee beans, so that the local farmers get a better price for their product." Despite the many challenges, the project is a success. The proposed number of newly planted hectares was far exceeded, and the restart of Robusta coffee cultivation was chosen as one of the spearheads of a European Union-funded project in the region. 

Reforestation around Virunga National Park

For more than 20 years, insecurity and a dire socio-economic situation have led to a cycle of violence and poverty in eastern Congo, affecting local communities and threatening the future of Virunga National Park. The resumption of the M23 rebel war in 2021 has worsened the situation. One million people live in refugee camps in Goma, and the park is under constant threat from armed conflict, poaching and illegal logging.
Based on previous experience with nature conservation and environmental restoration in DR Congo, Meise Botanic Garden launched the Clima Virunga programme, 'Climate mitigation and adaptation around Virunga National Park', in 2020.

This reforestation programme is financed by the Government of Flanders and jointly implemented by the Virunga Foundation, the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, local communities, and Meise Botanic Garden.

Through this programme, Clima Virunga employees and local communities have reforested more than 1500 hectares for social forestry and agroforestry. Fast-growing and local species in combination with agroforestry trees were planted, enabling sustainable firewood production, natural forest restoration, and agroforestry to meet the needs of the population.

The aim is also to mitigate the effects of climate change by improving the management of natural resources and preserving Virunga's exceptional biodiversity. The programme is a driving force to the creation of carbon sinks while providing communities with alternative livelihoods. 

"After four years of work, we have had a big impact: the local community benefits from the employment and improvement of technical skills during the implementation of the project and supervision, which improves the relations between the park and the communities," explains Justin Komayombi, head of the Kisigari Group.
In the Kisigari area, the programme planted 250 hectares of trees in degraded land to create a community forest and test the conservation model. The planting of local species, including forest fruit trees, will contribute to the return of wild animals, chimpanzees and other primates. The rewilding of forests could allow the community to develop tourist circuits once the war is over.

Meise Botanic Garden and D.R. Congo

"Meise Botanic Garden has been active in Central Africa for a very long time," says Piet. "In addition to biodiversity research on plants, algae, and mushrooms, we also contribute to capacity building, infrastructure rehabilitation, and sustainable development projects."