Abstract
The Alpine region of Uvira District in South-Kivu Province faces low agricultural productivity challenges largely due to human population pressure on the natural resource base. During the dry season, conflicts between crop farmers and livestock breeders are common. This region is located 2500 - 3020 m a.s.l. and is almost inaccessible due to poor road infrastructure. To understand the interactions between natural resources (forests, pastures, soils) and sedentary agriculture, and to propose solutions for sustainable natural resource management, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) sessions covering three farmer group interviews were conducted in July 2010 in Marungu, Kitembe and Kahololo location. The livelihoods of the Banyamulenge have been transformed from pastoralism to a sedentary system with the introduction of crop cultivation after 1980. Maize, bush beans and Irish potatoes are cultivated with limited success because of late crop maturity under the prevailing climatic conditions. Livestock, mainly cattle, sheep and goats is managed under extensive system, relying on natural pasture far from the human settlements. Livestock plays an important role to define people’s wealth and is mainly managed by men. There is a real need of forages during the dry season; however, cultivation of forages is unknown. On the other hand, pastures appear to be degenerating due to overgrazing. Access by farmers to efficient and effective agricultural extension services is fundamental in order to promote locally adapted and profitable crop and livestock production while at the same time, sustaining the productive resource base and security.
Highlights
The highlands of Uvira in South-Kivu province of D
The long rainy season is from October to January and the short rains from mid February to June
Onions have recently been introduced to Kitembe by a farmer, whereas amaranth and spring onions have been introduced by another farmer to Kahololo
Summary
The highlands of Uvira in South-Kivu province of D. R. Congo) face massive problems such as low crop productivity and human pressure on natural vegetation like pastures and forests, similar to those in other highland regions, for example in Nepal [1] [2]. During the current post-conflict period, this region needs help to stabilize the relationship between the natural resources available and their utilization. With regard to natural resource management, bush fire is usually utilized in the cropping system to burn fallow areas. In spite of this situation, the pressure of animals on the pastures is high and forages are not enough to support the number of grazing animals like in Southwestern China [6]. The objective of this study was to understand the concerns and shortfalls of people in crop, livestock husbandry and to develop solutions together with people in this Alpine region for the improvement of their crop and livestock production
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