On Thursday, September 5, 2024, in Kinshasa, the TRIDE consortium presented the results of its Transition for Inclusive Development project in eastern DR Congo. This information session provided an update on progress and challenges faced in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces as the project enters its fourth year.
The TRIDE project (Transition for Inclusive Development in Eastern DR Congo), funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, held a progress meeting in Kinshasa on Thursday. Launched in July 2021 and set to continue until June 2025, the project aims to improve land access, strengthen water resource management, and revitalize the local economy through inclusive value chains.
Jonathan Itegwa, the TRIDE Consortium Leader in DR Congo, opened the meeting by highlighting the progress made despite the challenges. He expressed gratitude to the participants and partners, especially the Congolese government and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Itegwa stated that despite the encountered obstacles, the project continues to make significant progress in accessible areas. He also encouraged participants to provide feedback to ensure the project’s success.
Ms. Jennifer Imperator, Deputy Head of Mission at the Netherlands Embassy in DR Congo, praised the project’s achievements. She noted that in 2023, 3,836 small farmers secured access to arable land through 4,175 exploitation contracts. In 2024, 27 priority sites affected by erosion were restored, and 19 contracts for the delivery of agricultural products were signed or renewed. Thanks to TRIDE, over 2 million kilograms of agricultural products and more than 58,000 liters of milk have been marketed. Ms. Imperator also acknowledged the challenges faced, such as arrests and misinformation, but commended the perseverance of field teams and the support of Congolese authorities. She concluded by praising ZOA, VNG International, and AGRITERRA for their work and the initiative of informing stakeholders in Kinshasa, over 2,000 kilometers away from the action sites.
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Planning and Development Aid Coordination, Mr. Daniel Epembe Mosango, emphasized the importance of the TRIDE project for food security and economic development in DR Congo. He reminded attendees that the project aims to mitigate agricultural crises, land conflicts, and governance issues in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Based on an analysis of food crisis determinants, the project seeks to promote better water resource management and improve land access for smallholders.
Preliminary mid-term evaluation results show notable improvements. The percentage of supported households improving their food security increased from 39% to 63%, and the average monthly income of these households rose from $104 to $207. Among the farmers supported by the project, 84% experienced an increase in their income.
At the end of the meeting, several recommendations were proposed by the participants and collected by Mr. Adolphe Ngondo MATABARO, governance expert within TRIDE. These recommendations include strengthening alignment mechanisms with other local actors, improving sustainability strategies, and integrating state actors into the monitoring and evaluation mechanism. It was also suggested to extend the project duration to catch up on delays, align its actions with national policies, and expand it to the western part of the country.
The information session provided an encouraging review of the TRIDE project’s mid-term results. Despite significant challenges, the notable progress in improving the living conditions of small farmers and managing natural resources demonstrates the positive impact of this initiative. The TRIDE consortium, supported by its partners and the Congolese government, continues to work with determination to achieve its goals by the end of the project. The proposed recommendations are expected to optimize efforts and ensure the sustainability of the achieved results.
By Franck Zongwe Lukama
