The Farming Systems

Traditional agriculture in the Congo takes place in both forested and savanna areas. In the sixties an improved type, originally developed in the Congo during the colonial period, known as Rouge du Congo, was reintroduced. Groundnuts account for about 7% of the cultivated area. At first glance they would seem to be an ideal cash crop for the Congo. As mentioned in the section on manioc cultivation they already play an important role in the small farm cropping system. About 43% of the small farms in the Congo grow plantains, 89% of the farms in the Sangha province and 76% of the farms in Likouala grow plantains. In areas fairly close to the urban regions such as Pool and Plateaux, white potatoes are grown as a cash crop. In most regions tubers, other than manioc, play a minor role in the peasant farming system.