Agriculture

At SNV we focus on entire value chains: from production of crops (training about irrigation, fertilisation, etc.) to market access (advice on storage, transport, marketing) as well as access to (micro)credit. We have made specific selections of value chains: Cassava, Honey, Maize, Palm Oil and Rice.

Rural economic development plays a crucial role in reducing poverty in DR Congo. Most small hold farmers live in remote areas, have limited access to equipment, advice and information, and so cannot compete commercially with large companies. Climate change and market fluctuations also make them vulnerable.

Our activities enable small hold farmers as well as local processors to benefit more fully from the rising demand for their products.

Our approach
Our strength and experience lies in developing agricultural value chains and looking at the risks for smallholder farmers. Our advisors work with farmers’ organisations and local businesses, particularly in remote areas. They help them to identify new opportunities and markets, ensure basic conditions and pass on appropriate knowledge and experience. They improve farmers’ own opportunities and income by, for example:bringing together farmers and businesses with others involved in the value chain to share knowledge and experience and explore market opportunities, providing training and services to help improve the quality of their produce, helping them to acquire finances, planning strategies to guarantee basic conditions such as equipment, education and information, and food access.

These interventions give farmers and local businesses the practical knowledge and skills necessary to improve livelihoods in rural areas. This approach benefits not only individual producers but whole communities, by, for example, creating jobs.