Agroforestry Popularity and Empowering Women through Enterprise

AGROFORESTRY GROWING IN POPULARITY

The success of the agroforestry program has contributed to a greater awareness of the damaging effects of slash in burn agriculture within the Reserve and an interest among farmers in improving agriculture production. Specific agricultural zones (32 in total) were created with involvement of community leaders to allow local farmers to grow and harvest crops within the Ag zones and limit their impact on the surrounding rainforest and okapi habitat.  To read more, click here.

EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING WOMEN

Educating and empowering women within the Reserve leads to conversations about conservation that can lead to actions by community members to protect okapi and other animals living within the Ituri Forest. This past summer, OCP led focus groups that were held in 6 villages with 155 women participating which examined OWR regulations, and the sustainable use of drinking water and firewood, additionally all were given the opportunity to bring forward pressing needs for their families. Their number one concern was access to clean, safe drinking water sources. To read more, click here.