Highlights on focus group discussion in Democratic Republic of Congo Prof. WALANGULULU MASAMBA, DRC l Leader of Legume choice project M Sc BALUME MWANGA, Project Assistant

Goal of focus group discussion: identify and score constraints for legume intensification: -increase productivity and area of existing legume species -scope for niches for ‘new’ use of legumes and introduction/adoption of ‘new’ legume types

Methodology: - Men and women group discussions separately; - An even representation from the different typologies and age groups; - 12 farmers per each targeted village covering the tree typologies (wealthy farmer, middle income and low income) were invited; - farmers from each villages were divided into two groups (female and male) so as to not interfere in the discussion; hours were given to each group for discussion conducted in local languages (Mashi and Swahili); - focus group was chaired by one IITA member accompanied by one secretary.

Key findings: 1.Action site Luduha in Mushinga: - Bush bean, climbing bean and soybean rated the highest (5), followed by groundnut (4); local practices are applied for bush bean and soybean, improved for climbing bean; only bush beans are intercropped - Major constraints are lack of compost, FYM and improved varieties for men and climate change, lack of compost, fertilizer, FYM and improved varieties for women

Key findings (cont’d): 2. Action site Madaka in Mushinga: -Major legumes production constraints for men are lack for land, absence of fertilizers, climate change, plants and diseases attacks and absence of developed market (5), while for women they are: absence of fertilizers and pesticides, pests and diseases attacks, lack of farming tools and absence of developed market (5) -Highly rated proposed solutions for men are need for technical and financial assistance, good market access, improved road infrastructure; for women they are:

Key findings (cont’d): 2. Action site Madaka in Mushinga (cont’d): access to pesticides, access to farm inputs, availability of tools for farming and improved road infrastructure; -Lands are rented, of small size, with sleep slopes and insufficient for men and women; -Solutions to land problems are for men: campaign on land access for the smallholder farmers and control of soil erosion and integrate fodder in the farming system while for women they are land reform and access to the land and possibility to buy -Legumes are consumed and provide income

Key findings (cont’d): 2. Action site Madaka in Mushinga (cont’d): -Problems raised for legumes consumption are lack of machines for soybean processing and techniques on post harvesting and conservation and absence of organized markets for men while for women they are absence of organized markets, need of processing training and absence of seeds at the beginning of season due to food shortage -Solutions to food processing are for both sexes training, good market

Key findings (cont’d): 2. Action site Madaka in Mushinga (cont’d): -For land management on legumes in intercropping problem for both sexes is lack of training on new farming practices and the solution is providing training -Priorities are seasonal grain legumes and seasonal fodder crops (Mucuna) -Niches and opportunities scores are market and fertilizer for men (14) and nutrition (14) followed by market and fertilizers (12) for women

Key findings (cont’d): 3. Action site Bushumba centre in Bushumba: -Knowledge on legumes is highly rated for common beans, weekly for other legumes (1) for men and weekly rated for women for common beans, soybean and groundnut (2) -Major management constraints for men are access to quality seeds, low productivity, high labor cost, lack of fertilizers and absence of livestock ; for women they are absence of livestock and land tenure system, climate change and road infrastructure

Key findings (cont’d): 3. Action site Bushumba centre in Bushumba (cont’d): -Bean and soybean cropping system are the high rated cropping system and the intercropping system randomly sowing of those crops are also high rated for both sexes; -Common beans, maize and cassava and groundnut and maize are crops in intercropping for both sexes, soybean, maize and cassava for men and soybean- maize for women

Key findings (cont’d): 4. Action site Mulengeza in Bushumba : -Annual grain legumes (common beans, soybean and groundnut ) are the high rated priorities on legumes in the cropping systems for both sexes (19), followed by fodder tree legumes ; -Common beans are mainly used for nutrition for both sexes, followed by income; soybean is used for market and soil improvement ; groundnuts are used for market and soil improvement for both sexes;

Key findings (cont’d): 4. Action site Mulengeza in Bushumba (cont’d): Improved seeds and mono cropping and respect of planting time for women, intercropping systems and ISFM technologies for both sexes. - Leuceana and Calliandra are used as erosion measures for both sexes and for fertilization for men and fodder for women; -Opportunities for legumes are short production cycle, human and animal nutrition and easy to sell for both sexes, replenishment of soils nutrients for men;

Key findings (cont’d):