Abstract
The majority of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) population in rural areas is dependent on groundwater and springs for their drinking water, and agriculture for their food and income. Unimproved pit latrines are the widest-spread means of sanitation in DRC’s rural areas and wood is used as household fuel. The deforestation and improper latrines lead to problems of environmental degradation and pollution, leading to the climate change effects and diseases related to improper sanitation. “Planting 20 Fruit Trees and/or Acacia Trees for Household Dry Toilet” Campaign as a strategy that promotes both the afforestation and use of ecological sanitation toilets is one of responses to these problems. The purpose of this project was to encourage and help rural smallholder farmers to get involved and contribute in the protection and restoration of ecosystems health through planting fruit and/or acacia trees in their farmlands and using ecological sanitation toilets. Identification of smallholder farmers’ households, activities to raise awareness and spread basic information on beneficial effects of trees―especially fruit and acacia trees―and ecological sanitation, construction of dry toilets and planting fruit and/or acacia trees were carried out. In 2018, the general perceptions of smallholder farmers’ households on the campaign were found encouraging. Eleven selected smallholder farmers’ households have planted 374 trees and each received an eco-toilet constructed for free. Fruit and acacia trees and dry toilets benefit humans―including creation of economic opportunities―and ecosystems. As the project suffered from lack of funds, recommendations are made for funding organizations to support such campaign projects.
Presenters
Moise Kisempa MahungudiStanis Koko Nyalongomo
Journalist, Congolese Press Agency, Bandundu, Congo-Kinshasa Benjamin Mputela Bankanza
Financial Manager, Department of Finances, Ecosystems Restoration Associates Congo
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
2020 Special Focus—Embedded Natures: Human Environments and Ecosystemic Effects
KEYWORDS
Acacia, Deforestation, Degradation, Ecological sanitation, Ecosystems, Fruit trees, Smallholder farmers
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