Farmers in the town of Lubero, in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province, are beginning to reclaim their livelihoods, with wheat cultivation resuming after years of disruption caused by armed conflict.
The attached video captures scenes from the latest harvest, showing farmers back in their fields cutting mature wheat, threshing grain, and preparing sacks for onward transport. This move reflects a cautious but tangible return to agricultural activity in an area long affected by insecurity.
Local farmers say the revival of wheat production is closely linked to recent improvements in safety conditions and the arrival of new agricultural infrastructure. A newly established wheat-processing facility is expected to enable local flour production, reduce reliance on external supplies, and support better nutrition within the community.
Improved seed varieties supplied from the Virunga area have also contributed to stronger yields, according to farmers, who note that a more consistent security presence has allowed them to work their land with greater confidence. For many, this season represents the first meaningful opportunity in years to farm without constant fear of displacement.
For much of the past decade, armed groups operated in and around the perimeter of Virunga National Park, using the area as a strategic base and forcing farming communities to abandon their land. The resulting disruption contributed to widespread food shortages across North Kivu and neighbouring regions. This harvest is therefore seen as an important marker of gradual agricultural recovery.
However, development specialists caution that the situation remains fragile. Armed groups continue to control parts of North Kivu, and sustained security is considered essential if farming activity is to expand and stabilise.
Fighting persists in eastern DRC despite multiple ceasefire initiatives, including a Qatari-mediated truce between the government and the M23 armed group, as well as a US-brokered ceasefire and economic agreement involving Rwanda. The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of backing M23, an allegation Rwanda has denied.
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