Resilience Strategies Among Smallholder Farmers in Democratic Republic of Congo: A Qualitative Study Over Three Years

Smallholder farmers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are disproportionately affected by climate change, yet little is known about their resilience strategies. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to gather insights from 50 smallholder farmers across various regions of DRC. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. Findings revealed that the most common resilience strategies included diversification of crops, use of drought-resistant varieties, and improved water management techniques. These practices significantly reduced vulnerability to climate-induced shocks. Smallholder farmers in DRC have developed effective resilience strategies that can inform policy interventions aimed at enhancing agricultural sustainability under changing climatic conditions. Support programmes should integrate these proven resilience strategies into their curricula and implementation plans, thereby contributing to the overall development of smallholder farming communities in DRC.