Dégradation des terres cultivées au Sud-Kivu, R.D. Congo : perceptions paysannes et caractéristiques des exploitations agricoles
Cropland degradation in South Kivu, D.R. Congo : farmers’ perceptions and farm characteristics Description of the subject. As compared to neighboring countries in the African Great Lakes Region, there is a glaring lack of up-to-date information regarding the status of land degradation in the Kivu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://popups.uliege.be/1780-4507/index.php?id=18544 |
| _version_ | 1818580250062225408 |
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| author | Aimé B. Heri-Kazi Charles L. Bielders |
| author_facet | Aimé B. Heri-Kazi Charles L. Bielders |
| author_sort | Aimé B. Heri-Kazi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cropland degradation in South Kivu, D.R. Congo : farmers’ perceptions and farm characteristics
Description of the subject. As compared to neighboring countries in the African Great Lakes Region, there is a glaring lack of up-to-date information regarding the status of land degradation in the Kivu Ridge in the D.R. Congo.
Objectives. This study aims at characterizing the severity of soil degradation in South Kivu and how it is affected by the diversity of biophysical and socio-economic contexts and the choice of crops and cropping practices.
Methods. In four territories of the Kivu Ridge, 720 small farmers were surveyed regarding the level and forms of land degradation, as well as crops and cultural practices. A classification of households was carried out.
Results. Farms were characterized by their small size and their overall poverty. Overall, the status of degradation was perceived as medium, but it was severe to very severe for one third of farms. Soil erosion, nutrient depletion and organic matter were the main types of degradation. Demographic pressure partly explains the differences observed between watersheds. The poorest households had on average the highest levels of degradation. Some practices (ridging) or crops (cassava, coffee, and market gardening) seemed preferentially associated with certain levels of degradation, although no clear causal relationships could be established because of the predominance of crop associations.
Conclusions. The survey revealed a problematic situation, particularly affecting the poorest households, which should encourage more investment in soil conservation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T07:14:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-17c2ec5d3b714e1d8badc1ebb7a0ff17 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1780-4507 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T07:14:36Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement |
| spelling | doaj.art-17c2ec5d3b714e1d8badc1ebb7a0ff172022-12-21T22:39:49ZengPresses Agronomiques de GemblouxBiotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement1780-45072020-06-012429611610.25518/1780-4507.18544Dégradation des terres cultivées au Sud-Kivu, R.D. Congo : perceptions paysannes et caractéristiques des exploitations agricolesAimé B. Heri-Kazi0Charles L. Bielders1Université catholique de Louvain. Earth and Life Institute. Environmental Sciences. Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium). E-mail : heri.kazi@ucbukavu.ac.cd – Université Catholique de Bukavu (UCB). Faculty of Agronomy (FA). Department of Soil Sciences. D.R. CongoUniversité catholique de Louvain. Earth and Life Institute. Environmental Sciences. Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium).Cropland degradation in South Kivu, D.R. Congo : farmers’ perceptions and farm characteristics Description of the subject. As compared to neighboring countries in the African Great Lakes Region, there is a glaring lack of up-to-date information regarding the status of land degradation in the Kivu Ridge in the D.R. Congo. Objectives. This study aims at characterizing the severity of soil degradation in South Kivu and how it is affected by the diversity of biophysical and socio-economic contexts and the choice of crops and cropping practices. Methods. In four territories of the Kivu Ridge, 720 small farmers were surveyed regarding the level and forms of land degradation, as well as crops and cultural practices. A classification of households was carried out. Results. Farms were characterized by their small size and their overall poverty. Overall, the status of degradation was perceived as medium, but it was severe to very severe for one third of farms. Soil erosion, nutrient depletion and organic matter were the main types of degradation. Demographic pressure partly explains the differences observed between watersheds. The poorest households had on average the highest levels of degradation. Some practices (ridging) or crops (cassava, coffee, and market gardening) seemed preferentially associated with certain levels of degradation, although no clear causal relationships could be established because of the predominance of crop associations. Conclusions. The survey revealed a problematic situation, particularly affecting the poorest households, which should encourage more investment in soil conservation.https://popups.uliege.be/1780-4507/index.php?id=18544d.r. congosouth-kivuwater erosioncropping systemspovertypopulation pressure |
| spellingShingle | Aimé B. Heri-Kazi Charles L. Bielders Dégradation des terres cultivées au Sud-Kivu, R.D. Congo : perceptions paysannes et caractéristiques des exploitations agricoles Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement d.r. congo south-kivu water erosion cropping systems poverty population pressure |
| title | Dégradation des terres cultivées au Sud-Kivu, R.D. Congo : perceptions paysannes et caractéristiques des exploitations agricoles |
| title_full | Dégradation des terres cultivées au Sud-Kivu, R.D. Congo : perceptions paysannes et caractéristiques des exploitations agricoles |
| title_fullStr | Dégradation des terres cultivées au Sud-Kivu, R.D. Congo : perceptions paysannes et caractéristiques des exploitations agricoles |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dégradation des terres cultivées au Sud-Kivu, R.D. Congo : perceptions paysannes et caractéristiques des exploitations agricoles |
| title_short | Dégradation des terres cultivées au Sud-Kivu, R.D. Congo : perceptions paysannes et caractéristiques des exploitations agricoles |
| title_sort | degradation des terres cultivees au sud kivu r d congo perceptions paysannes et caracteristiques des exploitations agricoles |
| topic | d.r. congo south-kivu water erosion cropping systems poverty population pressure |
| url | https://popups.uliege.be/1780-4507/index.php?id=18544 |
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