Building a framework towards climate-smart agriculture in the Yangambi landscape, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to produce a framework for climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in the Yangambi landscape, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This would enable the authors to identify agricultural practices, assess vulnerability to climate change, identify options for improving agricultural systems from a climate change mitigation and adaptation perspective and finally provide climate-smart agricultural options. Design/methodology/approach The study used household survey methods of data collection. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire survey by interviewing 250 farm households, subdivided using three axes of the Yangambi landscape. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine relationships between two or more variables. Findings Results of the survey revealed that the vast majority (98%) of respondents perceived changes in temperature, rainfall and weather patterns. Reduction of crop yields and the emergence of new weed species and new crop pests are the main impacts on agricultural activities. Although 87.6% of respondents have no means of adaptation and resilience, some of them use crops rotation, fallow practice, fertilizers and bio-pesticides. A framework for CSA is proposed for the Yangambi landscape. Practical implications Policies and strategies to promote CSA in the study area should take into account local farmers' perceptions of climate change and consider first the adequacy of CSA practices for the specific conditions of the target area before its promotion. This study is thus useful for many REDD+ initiatives that are currently being promoted in DRC and particularly in the Tshopo Province. Originality/value This study is one of the first studies to focus on CSA in the Yangambi landscape, DRC. It assists the use of agriculture as a response to reducing deforestation while at the same time lowering agriculture’s carbon footprint and promoting a resilient and more productive farming system.

Climate Change Perception and Uptake of Climate-Smart Agriculture in Rice Production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

“…Climate change could also result in more pressure on water bodies [3,4]. Climate change is one of the most serious challenges to Africa's agricultural sector and food security due to its sensitivity and vulnerability to temperature and rainfall changes [5]. Higher temperatures, for example, reduce crop yields while increasing incidence of pests, and variations in precipitation patterns raise the risk of short-term crop failure and longterm output losses, making climate change a major problem to food production [1].…”

“…This is because climate change is considered as negatively affecting agricultural development, food security, and man's overall livelihood situation [6]. Farming operations, particularly those that are rainfed, rely on good climatic conditions to be productive and are in danger as a result of climate change [5].…”

Soil carbon stocks in stable tropical landforms are dominated by geochemical controls and not by land use

“…Ranst , 2003). Local agriculture is characterized by rotations of cassava and maize, as well as various legumes and vegetables with little to no fertilizer input (Mangaza et al, 2021;Ordway et al, 2017;Tyukavina et al, 2018).…”

Impacts du changement d’utilisation des terres sur la biomasse et la diversité dans le paysage forestier de la réserve de biosphère de Yangambi en République démocratique du Congo

“…Ce modèle a été précédemment proposé en Guyane française (Molto et al, 2013), spécifiquement dans les forêts d'Afrique centrale (Fayolle et al, 2016). Les estimations de biomasse aérienne dans les jachères de Yangambi sont inférieures à celles de Moonen et al (2019) dans la province de la Tshopo, à 66 km de notre site ; la différence serait liée au nombre de rotations élevé dans la réserve de biosphère de Yangambi (Mangaza et al, 2021). Pour les plantations de cacaoyers, la biomasse aérienne à Yangambi est supérieure à celle trouvée par Batsi et al (2021) dans le paysage de Bengamisa-Yangambi en RDC.…”