The challenge involves working with an agricultural cooperative representing 1,200 low-income farmers in the Ruzizi Valley in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to raise outputs and improve community health and nutrition. The project would have a special focus on women and infants.
Current production of the staple crop corn, averages only 400 tons per year – 10 per cent of normal pre-war output, and health and nutrition issues have become acute following a major international war in 1997 and persistent low-level conflict. By helping to carry out baseline research on health and nutrition, and then implementing the recommendations with local farmers, the project would help to augment the quantity and quality of food grown in eastern Congo.
