Congo Shipping Project

Encouraging agriculture isn’t often seen as a conservation measure. But, all too often, AWF has witnessed that the abandonment of farming can reap havoc on other precious resources. Just look at the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Years of civil war destroyed the infrastructure that allowed farmers along the banks of the Congo and Maringa Rivers to bring their crops to market. Desperate farmers and residents fled deeper into the forest in search of food, causing great destruction to the forests. Locals even began hunting bonobos in search of meat, taking a huge toll on the population of this threatened species.

To help farmers return to their fields – and, therefore, lessen their impact on the forests – AWF has helped initiate the return of a cargo boat to the Congo and Maringa Rivers. Now, farmers have a reason to farm again, giving the bonobos a break.

Set amongst the waters of the Lopori and Maringa Rivers, the Congo Heartland boasts the second-largest contiguous moist tropical forest in the world. The forests are home to a wealth of African wildlife, including the endangered bonobo and Ccongo peacock. The rivers provide a home to more than 400 fish species. And, along the river banks, rich soils provided farmers with great crops of coffee, cocoa, rubber and palm oil.

For years, the people of the region enjoyed the benefits of healthy crops. And, the bonobos and other precious wildlife living amidst the trees remained untouched. But, desperate times seek desperate measures – and, impoverished farmers were forced to abandon their fields and seek out food – including threatened wildlife – deeper in the forest.

As part of an Agricultural Reactivation Project that aims to reduce pressure on forests, AWF conducted a socio-economic study from July to October 2004 to gather feedback and insights from Congolese farmers in hopes of finding a solution that would help restore agricultural activity and encourage them to return to their fields.

Farmers indicated that the lack of access to markets was the primary factor preventing them from selling their agricultural products. In response, AWF partnered with a local cargo barge operator to reactivate commercial transport on the Congo and Maringa Rivers.

The cargo barge’s round trip journey took two months and covers 3,200 kilometers. The boat which can carry approximately 700 tons of cargo, stopped in six ports and collected agricultural goods to sell in the capital, Kinshasa, as well as other major markets. AWF alerted local communities to the boat’s schedule and provided them with empty sacks to ship their crops.

Unfortunately, the barge’s first trip was not without its complications. On November 12, 2005, one of the barges was confiscated by the Congolese military to transport soldiers from Basankusu to Mbandaka.

The crew, including an AWF employee, was asked to vacate the barge. The agricultural products that had already been collected were taken off the boat and put into storage. AWF promptly petitioned the Ministry of Defense to return the barge as soon as possible and to refrain from future requisition. The barge was returned and completed its first roundtrip.

AWF hopes to continue supporting barge trips throughout the year, except during the dry months when access to the river is limited.

As this cargo boat makes its way up and down the Maringa and Congo Rivers, things are looking up for locals. The boat is delivering much-needed humanitarian supplies and bringing farmers agricultural goods to market for the first time in seven years. In time, the return of river transport will help farmers to re-establish their livelihoods, while reducing the destruction to local forests and wildlife.