Characterization of Market Garden Production in Highlands of Minembwe Agroecological Zone in South Kivu

Food insecurity and poverty remain critical challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in South Kivu, where agricultural productivity is constrained by poor infrastructure, land degradation, climatic variability, and recurrent armed conflict.In the high altitude agroecological zone of Minembwe, these constraints exacerbate food scarcity and limit income-generating opportunities.This study aimed to characterize the organic market gardening sector in this region by analyzing production systems, crop diversity, land tenure patterns, farmers' perceptions, and the use of agroecological practices, with the broader goal of strengthening food self-sufficiency and economic resilience.Using a combination of descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression, the study identified key socio-demographic, agronomic, and institutional factors influencing farmers' production strategies.Results show that market gardening is a vital livelihood activity, predominantly relying on family labor due to limited financial resources.Gender participation varies by locality, with men dominating in Kivumu and women more engaged in Rhunundu.Land access mechanisms differ across villages, with rental systems prevalent in Kivumu and inheritance