Planting in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Addressing Food Security Around the Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Planting in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Planting in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Assisting communities to improve their food security decreases the need for people to be involved in illegal activities to support their families. Okapi Conservation Project’s (OCP) agroforestry program’s success makes it attractive to struggling communities in remote areas, allowing OCP educators to make inroads into areas of the Reserve where villages have not previously been receptive to conservation efforts. Building the capacity of local communities to sustainably manage their food resources helps OCP meet its conservation objective to conserve critical okapi habitat.

There is a direct relationship between improving food production and a reduction in the involvement of local community members in illegal activities. As people grow more food they can sell the surplus for cash to buy much needed basic supplies and pay for health care. There is a reduced need to get involved in dangerous illegal poaching and mining operations to make money to take care of your family. By tying our support to better stewardship of forest resources okapi benefit and the people benefit.

Farmer participation in OCP’s agroforestry program depends on secure movement of staff and since the security situation has been slowly improving, the farmer participation has been increasing. Travel around the Reserve remains hindered by extremely poor road conditions on the eastern and western boundaries of the Reserve. There exists a high demand for participation in OCP’s agroforestry program which OCP staff is addressing as they try to surmount the difficult travel conditions, especially during the rainy season.

Key Accomplishments 1st Quarter 2016:

  • Repaired wind damage at the tree nursery in Byakato.
  • Distribution of 10,215 tree seedlings and 2 tons of peanut, bean and rice seeds to 188 farmers.
  • Established 11 new seed beds of various vegetables in Epulu and Mambasa nurseries.
  • Provided agricultural tools, seedlings and training in farming to primary and secondary school students in Epulu.
  • Assisted the Bandisende community in planting lucaena in their community field.

The OCP operates 11 demonstration gardens around the Reserve to entice people to investigate the crop selection and the row planting as they pass by on foot, bicycles and motorbikes. The genuine interest of the people in how they can change their crop selection, crop rotation and planting schedules to improve crop production is making a broad impact across the region in reducing land degraded by slash and burn agricultural practices. Caring about the needs of people opens the door for conversations about why we care about them – we just want their help in conserving okapi habitat. It is working; 95% of the forest cover remains intact in the Ituri River Basin which encompasses 70,000 sq.km.  To read more click here.