Une enquête a été réalisée sur l’île d’Idjwi, à l’est de la République démocratique du Congo, pour évaluer les pratiques phytosanitaires actuelles et les risques perçus par les agriculteurs. Les maraîchers, constitués en majorité de femmes (68 %) utilisent en cultures de tomate, de choux et d’aubergine, une diversité de fongicides, souvent en combinaison (43 %) avec des insecticides tels que la cyperméthrine. Le choix de ces pesticides est principalement déterminé par la perception de leur efficacité par les maraîchers et leur disponibilité sur les marchés locaux, où les revendeurs sont la principale source d’information des agriculteurs. L’incapacité des autorités compétentes (Office national de la protection des végétaux, Office congolais de contrôle) à limiter la distribution des pesticides non autorisés et très dangereux (e.g., profénofos), l’analphabétisme (39 % des agriculteurs) et l’absence de formation à l’usage des pesticides ne favorisent pas de bonnes pratiques phytosanitaires. De plus, le non port des équipements de protection (62 % des cas) et le non-respect des délais de sécurité ainsi que la négligence des pratiques d’hygiène après traitement (50 % de cas) exposent les maraîchers aux risques des pesticides, avec un impact potentiel direct sur leur santé. Enfin, les déchets de pesticides abandonnés sur les exploitations (60 %) et la mauvaise gestion de la bouillie restante après traitement contribuent à polluer l’environnement. Nous proposons donc une série d’actions pour favoriser une gestion rationnelle des pesticides et une amélioration des pratiques phytosanitaires des agriculteurs de l’île d’Idjwi.

There is a growing interest in greening schools, campuses, and workplaces due to the perceived ecosystem services provided by trees. However, students’ willingness to participate in and financially support the greening process is less examined. Using a questionnaire survey based on the contingent valuation method (CVM) and Likert scale, 1278 students from 13 universities were interviewed on their willingness to participate in tree planting and pay for their maintenance to promote green and clean campuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Most of the students interviewed were male (61%) and enrolled as undergraduates (60%). While 65% of the respondents agreed with the idea of planting trees, this agreement was significantly associated with students’ awareness of climate change, the university attended, and the sources of information on the roles of trees in the community. The binary logit results showed that university courses (environment-related) and television broadcasts significantly affected students’ willingness to participate in tree planting. Overall, students (70%) agreed to pay for tree maintenance, and their willingness to pay (WTP) was estimated mainly at less than USD 5 per year. The price to pay was a significant factor in determining students’ willingness to pay for tree maintenance. Findings suggest that students’ willingness to support tree planting and maintenance is a crucial factor for academic authorities and planners to consider in order to successfully implement green infrastructures to improve the campus environment and make educational and work spaces sustainably attractive.

Students are often portrayed as future leaders. Their participation in climate change mitigation would improve when they access climate information and gain a high level of climate change awareness. This study was initiated to assess the Congolese students’ awareness of climate change by focusing on their sources of information on climate change, knowledge about the causes and impacts of climate change and activities that can raise awareness on climate change. Using a convenience sampling technique, we collected data through individual interviews conducted among 1,278 students from 13 universities across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The interview results showed that all students irrespective of their disciplines were concerned about climate change, a phenomenon strongly driven by human activities, such as deforestation (78%), urbanisation (30%), agriculture activities (30%) and transport services (26%). The students’ perceptions of climate change impacts included increase in temperature (82%), decrease in the number of rainy days (66%), proliferation of pests (60%) and increase in the number of malaria patients (39%). The primary sources of information that significantly affected students’ awareness of climate change included environment-related university courses and television broadcasts. The awareness-raising and mitigation actions related to climate change recommended by the students included educating people about good waste management (56%), planting trees (65%) and using the taxes paid by mining companies for the restoration of degraded ecosystems. The students believed that in DRC, all layers of the society (educational institutions, civil society organisations, community members and businesses) are important in building resilience to climate change. This study can guide teachers to focus their educational efforts on shaping pro-environmental behaviour in students.

This study analyzes the functioning and sustainability of the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium spp.) value chain in the Mangroves Marine Park, Democratic Republic of Congo, using the VCA4D methodology, which integrates economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, direct observations, and documentary review. The value chain, vital for local communities, also supplies urban markets in Boma, Muanda, Matadi, and Kinshasa. It involves five main actor groups: fishers, middlemen, retailers, restaurateurs, and consumers. High informality, fishers’ dependence on downstream actors, and the lack of traceability and sanitary control compromise overall efficiency and food safety. Value added is predominantly captured by urban retailers, particularly in Kinshasa. Socially and environmentally, the chain exhibits major vulnerabilities, including precarious livelihoods, low female inclusion, limited access to services, and anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems. The study therefore recommends, among other measures, establishing a sustainable management framework, including the protection of breeding areas and regulation of fishing effort, and strengthening actor capacities through improved preservation infrastructure and promotion of transparent pricing mechanisms. These measures aim to enhance the equity, resilience, and sustainability of this critical fishery resource.