In a step toward sustainable agriculture and forest conservation, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR-ICRAF), in collaboration with the GIZ project SAFE, has officially launched a new initiative to promote coffee production without deforestation in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, DR Congo. The project is part of a broader effort to align local agricultural practices with global environmental standards, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). To kick off the project, a joint mission was conducted from the 14th – 21st September 2025, bringing together technical experts from GIZ-SAFE and CIFOR-ICRAF.
At the heart of this initiative is the “Champ-Ecole-Paysan” (CEP) model, a participatory approach that combines sustainable farming techniques with hands-on training for local producers. The model is designed to empower communities while preserving the ecological integrity of the Yangambi landscape. The mission aimed to establish direct collaboration between the implementing teams, clarify the methodology of the CEP model, and ensure that all stakeholders shared a common understanding of the project’s goals, as well as synergies with other EU-funded initiatives, including the “Forêt” project.
One of the key outcomes of the discussions was the agreement to establish 50 demonstration coffee plantations, each covering 0.5 hectares, for a total of 25 hectares. These plots will be managed by 50 lead farmers and are expected to influence up to 450 additional producers in future seasons. The agroforestry system will integrate coffee plants with banana trees and leguminous cover crops such as cowpea, peanut, or soybean, which help improve soil fertility and reduce erosion. All plantations will be georeferenced and mapped, with data stored in a centralized project database. CIFOR-ICRAF will also produce a technical factsheet detailing the coffee production model, including its economic, agronomic, and social benefits. This document will serve as a reference for future scaling and policy alignment.
Field visits provided further insight into the project’s implementation. At the Champ-Ecole-Paysan site, the SAFE team observed CIFOR-ICRAF’s demonstration plot, discovering that coffee and banana components were already in place, while leguminous crops were yet to be added as explained by the team. Discussions focused on planting techniques, labor requirements, and cultivar selection.
The team also visited nursery facilities, where the low availability of high-quality seedlings is often one of the main challenges right from the start of building a good value chain. Which is why the SAFE team also focuses on addressing this issue with its partners in order to build a strong value chain foundation. CIFOR-ICRAF emphasized the importance of using climate-resilient cultivars such as Lula and Petit Kwilu, which perform well on degraded lands outside forest zones.
A highlight of the mission was the tour of the green energy production unit, which uses sustainably harvested wood to generate electricity and biochar. This facility is intended to power mini agro-processing units, including a palm nut transformation plant initiated by Virunga Alliance. The energy hub is seen as a catalyst for local economic development and green value chain promotion.
The alignment of technical understanding, clear reporting indicators, and the emergence of complementary initiatives—such as Virunga Foundation’s “Corridor Vert” project—point to a promising future for sustainable agriculture in Yangambi.
