In the hands of the experts

Chinese agricultural know-how is giving Congolese the wherewithal to stave off food shortages

The inability to produce enough food to go around is a threat that constantly hangs over many people in the Republic of Congo. Now that threat is steadily diminishing for at least some thanks to Chinese experts working at the China-Congo Agricultural Demonstration Center in Brazzaville.

The research center, where 10 Chinese agriculture experts and 50 local workers are employed, is helping improve local farming technology, thus increasing the yield and diversity of agricultural products, says the experts' team leader, Wang Yongzhuang.

That is quite a feat, given that little more than 15 months ago the center was nothing but empty office space.

One of the biggest challenges is to keep farming costs down and sustainability up, Wang says. That means that rather than relying on imported technology and other resources, experts have been pinning their hopes on local materials that best match local conditions.

For example, Wang says, locals are being taught to produce organic fertilizer rather than relying on imports, which are unaffordable to most.

One common anxiety among locals is their chickens suffering from malnutrition, because they are fed nothing but corn, but the experts have pointed the locals in the right direction, finding that cassava leaves, a local staple, are a good nutritional supplement.

Wang says the past year has been particularly tough for the experts, with barely any time off work, and the difficulties in adapting to an unfamiliar environment, including poor water, the threat of contracting malaria and homesickness.

Wang has more reason than most for feeling the toll. His wife and child died in an accident four months after he arrived in the country and even though legal action was pending, he decided to return to Congo, where he felt he was most needed.

"All the experts have faced all sorts of tests and I am happy they have all come through. It's extremely rewarding when you see how much local people appreciate what we are doing."

One of the latest achievements has been to increase the cassava yield. The yield has remained at no more than 12 metric tons a hectare. The center has now selected three virus-resistant types of cassava after experimenting with 17, raising the prospect of a yield of as much as 52 tons a hectare. These types of cassava are expected to be introduced to the market after one or two harvests.

In addition, Wang says, the center has raised 5,000 egg-laying chickens and the eggs have become popular among locals because of their high quality and affordability.