Agricultural seeds use in the territories of Aru, Djugu and Irumu (Ituri); of Gemena (Sud-Ubangui), Kabongo (Haut-Katanga) and of Mbanza-Ngungu (Kongo-Central) in DR Congo

The study was conducted in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019 to evaluate the use of food and vegetable crop seeds by Congolese peasant farmers in selected agricultural zones of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The territories of Aru, Djugu, and Irumu (Ituri); Gemena (Sud-Ubangi); Kabongo (Haut-Lomami); and Mbanza-Ngungu (Kongo-Central) were selected for the study. Their selection was based on the availability of human resources in these areas to conduct the research and on the fact that agriculture is the main activity of the population. The main objective was to collect and make available recent information on the types of crop seeds used, which can guide authorities and stakeholders in decision-making to improve Congolese agriculture. Surveys involving 561 peasant farmers selected from the territories of these four provinces showed that 60.2% of these farmers used local seeds, compared with 39.8% who preferred improved seeds. The majority of Congolese peasant farmers therefore use seeds of poor quality,