Insights & Field Updates

Les données de suivi de la couverture arborée montrent que le territoire de Watsa, dans la province du Haut-Uele, a connu une perte importante de forêts entre 2001 et 2025. L'analyse des moteurs de cette perte révèle que les activités agricoles constituent de loin la principale cause, tandis que l'expansion minière et le développement des infrastructures contribuent également à la déforestation. L'agriculture itinérante domine largement Avec 138 131 hectares de couverture arb

Une récente surveillance satellitaire a identifié 691 alertes de perturbation forestière au sein de la couverture forestière du territoire de Watsa, dans la province du Haut-Uele (République démocratique du Congo), au cours de la semaine du 15 juillet. Ces alertes correspondent à une superficie estimée de 8,49 hectares de forêt potentiellement affectée. Les alertes de perturbation forestière sont des signaux d'alerte précoce générés à partir d'images satellitaires. Elles perm

At Alphome Community Farms, sustainable agriculture begins by listening to the people who cultivate the land every day. Our Founder recently met with a group of smallholder farmers in Haut-Uele Province to discuss practical approaches to improving agricultural productivity, soil fertility, and household resilience. The interactive session covered compost production, soil testing, quality seed selection, crop management, budgeting, farm savings, and market planning. These fiel

Watsa, Haut-Uele Province, Democratic Republic of Congo Across the forests of Watsa Territory in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, deforestation is accelerating under growing pressure from artisanal mining, semi-industrial mining, charcoal production, and agricultural expansion. As part of the Congo Basin, these forests are globally significant for biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of local communities. Recent Global Forest Watch (GFW

From the United States to community forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo, global experiences are helping shape local solutions for agriculture, conservation, and resilience. Introduction: Why Global Learning Matters Alphome Community Farms believes sustainable community transformation requires both local action and global learning. Over the past two years, our Founder and Executive Director, Safari Bahati Jean-Jacques, participated in two major international leadership

A Hidden Driver of Deforestation When deforestation in Haut-Uele is discussed, attention usually focuses on mining, charcoal production, and agricultural expansion. But another major driver is growing rapidly in plain sight: brick burning. Across towns and roadside settlements, thousands of bricks are produced using massive amounts of firewood harvested from surrounding forests. The Fire Behind Every Brick Traditional brick kilns operate by burning large quantities of wood fo

Section 1 : The Problem is Systemic Over two decades of data reveal a consistent pattern: deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is primarily driven by agriculture; especially shifting cultivation known in french as "agriculture itinérante sur brûlis" not by industrial logging alone. This indicates a structural issue. Forest loss is not accidental. It is the predictable outcome of rural survival systems under pressure. Section 2 : Pressure is Spatially Concentrate

Smart Farming Made Simple What is AgriGuard360? AgriGuard360 is a tool created by Alphome Community Farms. It is a mobile app and platform that helps farmers work better, earn more, and protect their land. It connects farmers directly to Alphome and its partners. Why it matters? Many farmers work without clear information. AgriGuard360 gives real-time guidance so farmers can make better decisions when to plant, how to manage crops, and how to avoid losses. What farmers get? R

Charcoal as Survival: In Faradje and Watsa, families rely on charcoal for income due to limited jobs and energy access. Root Cause: Lack of electricity, clean cooking solutions, and income alternatives forces households into unsustainable charcoal production. Environmental Impact: Traditional methods destroy forests, degrade soil, and reduce biodiversity, creating a cycle of poverty and deforestation. Alphome’s Approach: • Provide clean, affordable cooking energy • Promote

1. Context: Rising Fire Activity in Haut-Uele Forest fires are increasing across Faradje Territory and Watsa Territory, not as natural wildfires but as a direct result of human land-use practices. The pattern reflects mounting pressure on forest landscapes driven by livelihoods and weak land management systems. 2. Fire Alert Data (March 14–21, 2026) Between 14 and 21 March 2026, 195 fire alerts were detected through VIIRS fire alerts in the Faradje–Watsa corridor. Only 2.0% w

Recent field verification conducted in the forest landscapes of Faradje and Watsa territories in Haut-Uele Province, Democratic Republic of Congo , reveals accelerating environmental degradation associated with expanding artisanal and "small-scale" mining activities. The documented impacts include large-scale tree felling, open mining pits, sediment-contaminated water bodies, and severe soil degradation. The observations were recorded during field monitoring linked to a commu

Across the Congo Basin, forest loss rarely happens because people want to destroy nature. Instead, it often results from the urgent need to survive. Many local families rely on fuelwood for brick-making, expand farmland to feed their households, and face few economic options. Protecting these forests requires more than just rules and enforcement. It calls for changing how people live and work in these areas. How Agroforestry Supports Forests and Farmers Agroforestry blends tr

Today, we recognize the incredible strength and leadership of the women at Alphome Community Farms. These women play a vital role in cultivating the land, securing food for their communities, and protecting the forests that sustain their environment. Their work is not only about farming but about building a sustainable future for generations to come. The Role of Women in Agriculture at Alphome Community Farms Women at Alphome Community Farms are the backbone of agricultural a