About the Great Lakes Region of Africa
In the last 30 years the Great Lake Region has been severely affected by conflict and instability. The most prominent drivers (root causes) of conflict and instability in the Great Lake Region have been:
- Political: lack of security, rule of law and inclusive processes, corruption and impunity.
- Economic: poverty and population pressure, unemployment, unequal distribution of natural resources.
- Social: ethnic and political mistrust, displacement, migration and population movement, gender inequality.
- Environmental: land degradation and climate change.
Achieving peace and sustainable stability in the Great Lakes Region of Africa has multiple dimensions and implications among which poverty alleviation and building of common future in the Great Lakes Region are crucial and conducive to the increase of population resources. Poverty alleviation, sustainable management of common infrastructures, trade, and security can be effectively achieved by integrating economically the region. The Great Lakes Region has long been viewed as a land of untapped economic potential.
Development problems and challenges
- Fragmented farmlands
- Limited know-how
- Inefficient post-harvest techniques
- Limited access and investment capacity for pre-harvest means
- Low bargaining power
- Insufficient agriculture income
- Low agricultural productivity
- Food insecurity
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- Lack of demand-driven cooperative services
- Poor cooperative governance
- Poor production planning
- Poor record-keeping
- Poor financial management
- Insufficient linkages with financial services providers
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- Poor entrepreneurship development
- Weak bargaining power towards market
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- Unprocessed products have limited shelf life reducing potential time/distance to market
- Poor anticipations on supply and demand to anticipate market price fluctuations
- Insufficient quality standards to comply with international market needs
- High transport cost
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- Unable to be competitive
- No market share
Burundi - Addressing Food Security Challenges
Smart agricultural projects can provide a significant impact on the communal, provincial, and national development of Burundi and play a decisive role in addressing food security challenges in Burundi.
Democratic Republic of Congo - Improve agriculture productivity
Fountain Foundation International is helping the women to improve agriculture productivity and increase resilience of farming households, increase their income, and improve their nutrition situation.