Since 1 July 2026, ADERI/NGO has officially launched the REG-SOJA (Soil Regeneration through Soybean Cultivation) project in Tubuluku, on the outskirts of Kananga City, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This initiative marks the beginning of the implementation of the "STOP EROSION AND POLLUTION" environmental advocacy program, which is integrated into the "GREEN BASKET" (PANIER VERT) food security strategy recommended by the Civil Society of Congo – Kasai Central Coordination.

Why This Project?

The outskirts of Kananga are experiencing increasing degradation of agricultural land, characterized by severe soil erosion, expanding gullies, depletion of topsoil, and increasingly prolonged periods of drought. These environmental challenges are undermining the livelihoods of rural communities, reducing agricultural productivity, and posing a long-term threat to household food security.

Farmers supported by ADERI's Agricultural Extension Center in Tubuluku mainly rely on rain-fed agriculture and remain highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Project Objective

Through the REG-SOJA project, ADERI aims to transform environmental awareness into practical land restoration actions. The project promotes regenerative agriculture as a nature-based solution to restore soil fertility, improve water retention capacity, and sustainably increase agricultural productivity.

Soybean has been selected as the project's flagship crop because of its natural ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, enrich depleted soils, improve soil structure, enhance microbial biodiversity, and reduce the impact of runoff on vulnerable slopes.

Key Activities

The project includes the following major activities:

- Establishment of a Soybean Farmer Field School to demonstrate regenerative agriculture techniques.

- Experimental restoration of 5 hectares of severely degraded land in Tubuluku.

- Training of 20 farming households, each managing approximately 25 ares, in agroecological practices, contour farming, biological soil moisture management, and seed multiplication.

- Development of a local value chain based on three pillars: Produce – Process – Market.

- Creation of a network of community facilitators responsible for disseminating best practices to other ADERI Agricultural Extension Centers.

Expected Results

After six months of implementation, the project aims to achieve the following outcomes:

- Restore and cultivate 5 hectares of degraded land using agroecological techniques.

- Train and certify 20 lead farming households in regenerative agriculture and sustainable soil management.

- Install biological barriers and contour farming structures to reduce soil erosion.

- Establish a small-scale processing unit for the production of soy flour and soy milk.

- Produce and process significant quantities of soybeans to strengthen food security under the GREEN BASKET (PANIER VERT) program.

- Develop and distribute practical guides in the local language on the Produce – Process – Market value chain.

- Conduct scientific monitoring of improvements in soil fertility and water retention capacity.

- Create a community revolving fund to ensure long-term access to quality soybean seeds.

- Develop a sustainability and replication strategy for expanding the REG-SOJA model to other ADERI Agricultural Extension Centers.

A Commitment Already Underway

Although funding confirmation is still pending, ADERI has already begun land clearing activities in order to meet the agricultural calendar for the current growing season. The organization remains fully committed to advancing this initiative, convinced of its significant environmental, agricultural, and social benefits.

ADERI calls upon its partners, public institutions, development organizations, the private sector, and all people of goodwill to support this flagship project. Technical, material, or financial contributions will help accelerate land restoration, strengthen community food security, and promote a sustainable model of agricultural development in Kasai Central Province.