IITA Youth Agripreneurs in Kinshasa commence horticulture and fish farming

The IITA Youth Agripreneurs in Kinshasa (IYAKIN) have fashioned two new business initiatives to help provide nutritious meals for DR Congo nationals. This move is a response to the challenges of food insecurity and growing poverty in the country.

The young farmers say they are joining efforts with government through agribusiness to fight food insecurity, which continues to affect rural and urban populations, particularly Kinshasa, the city’s capital. As a result, IYAKIN is leveraging on agribusiness as a way out and has begun fish and horticulture farming in Kasangulu—a rural county located 35 km away from downtown Kinshasa on the main road to the port city of Matadi. On this 5.5-ha field, IYAKIN now cultivates pepper, sweet melon, okra, tomato, radish, and eggfruit; and also stocked three ponds with over 5,000 fingerlings of catfish (Clarias sp.) and Tilapia to be sold in Kinshasa and its environs later this year

“Horticulture and fish farming are two value chains that are contributing to the reduction of poverty in DR Congo. These ventures are highly profitable because of their high demand and the added health benefits that they give,” said Ghislain Mbesse, IYAKIN Communication Officer.

The Agripreneurs also hope that the new enterprises will create jobs for other youth and also contribute to the reduction of imported horticultural products into the country.