Mbuyi Kayumba is a 55 old farmer, from Mpemba Nzeo village, Ngandajika Territory, Lomami Province, some 1,000 km (around 620 miles) southeast of DRC’s capital, Kinshasa. A father of seven, Kayumba, is a member of the farmers’ organization Union Sacrée pour le Développement Agricole de Mpemba Nzeo (USDAM) and a beneficiary of the PADCA-6P project that helps farmers improve their Maize farming techniques. The PADCA-6P project is supported by AATF in partnership with CVAVAA.
Before the PADCA-6P project arrived in this region, Kayumba faced significant hardships, struggling to provide for his family. His harvests were often insufficient, leading to financial insecurity and uncertainty. However, the support from PADCA-6P has been life-changing.
Thanks to various training sessions on good agricultural practices, conducted by AATF in conjunction with CVAVAA, Kayumba gained valuable knowledge. As part of the project, he accessed high-quality hybrid maize seeds to boost his productivity. With guidance from agronomists, Kayumba was able to implement the recommended agronomic practices, and as a result, his maize plants are healthier with some even producing two ears per stalk.
The establishment of farm input stores in his villages has been a game-changer for local agricultural development. These stores have provided farmers with easy access to essential inputs, available for purchase half in cash and half on credit, based on agreements between the farmers’ organization and input suppliers. This system has significantly improved maize productivity and strengthened food self-sufficiency.
“We have learned that quality seeds are the foundation of better yields. Increased maize production will not only improve my household’s income but also enhance the economic well-being of other members of USDAM,” says Kayumba, adding that being part of a cooperative with fellow farmers has fostered a spirit of collaboration and encouraged the adoption of new agricultural innovations.
This season, he purchased 25 kg of MUS1 maize seed variety to cultivate in his one-hectare piece of land. Previously, he had to travel 18 km (9 km each way) to the market to buy maize seed, yet his yields barely reached 1,000 kg per hectare. With the improved techniques and inputs from PADCA-6P, Kayumba now anticipates a harvest of no less than 1,500 kg per hectare—a 50% increase—thanks to better crop management.
For the future, he strongly recommends the expansion of similar projects in his region to support more farmers in overcoming poverty. Continued training and access to reliable agricultural resources are crucial for sustaining this progress. The PADCA-6P project was made possible through funding from AfDB, with coordination support from AATF.
