Upemba Strengthens Community Development Through AGRIFOOD Program

Communication
Sep 5
2 min read

Development Update – August 2025

In its ongoing pursuit of sustainable development and community empowerment, the Development and Community Conservation Department of Upemba National Park led a mission from August 5 to 19, 2025, across the territories of Mitwaba, Lubudi, and Bukama. The mission focused on distributing Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) kits and monitoring agricultural activities – part of the Park’s strategy to link conservation with rural development and reduce environmental pressures by offering viable economic alternatives through the AGRIFOOD program.

Eight community associations – both mixed and women-only groups – received complete operational kits including savings boxes, registers, calculators, and other essential tools. Associations such as VSLA Kipwano in Mitwaba and VSLA Busungwilo in Lubudi are now better equipped to manage savings and credit systems, enabling members to invest in small businesses, farming, and household needs.

The mission also convened meetings with Local Conservation and Development Committees (LCDCs) across the three territories. These gatherings provided space for residents to voice challenges such as delayed seed distribution, climate-related disruptions, and crop damage. Despite these difficulties, communities highlighted the positive impact of quality seeds, small-scale mechanization, and agricultural extension support provided under the program.

Beyond financial empowerment, the mission monitored progress in multiplication fields and nurseries for cassava, banana, and oil palm. These agroforestry initiatives aim to strengthen food security, restore degraded landscapes, and diversify income sources. “Upemba’s vision is not only to conserve biodiversity but also to ensure that local people benefit directly from sustainable development,” said Delphin Kabamb, Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer at Upemba National Park. “By strengthening rural financial structures, supporting farmers with quality seeds, and fostering dialogue through LCDCs, we are building resilience and trust between the Park and surrounding communities.”

The AGRIFOOD program is financed by the European Union, executed by Forgotten Parks, and implemented with the technical support of FAO-DRC. This partnership illustrates the power of combining international support with local action to deliver lasting change. With AGRIFOOD, Upemba is charting a future where nature protection and human well-being go hand in hand – making the Park not only a sanctuary for wildlife, but also a committed partner in securing a sustainable future for the people of its landscape.