Collaboration in Strengthening Value Chains

he Feed the Future DRC Strengthening Value Chains Activity (SVC), a five-year program is USAID’s premier development assistance initiative in South Kivu. SVC works with market actors in the private sector, the government of DRC, and civil society to enhance the capacity of farmers, enterprises, and associations engaged in the production, processing, and marketing of dried beans, soybeans, and specialty coffee. Coordinated planning and implementation have been challenging in Eastern DRC due to structural and operational circumstances and technical differences in approaches. Therefore, collaboration, continuous communication, and learning remain success factors for reaching a large number of clients with concerted and complementary approaches, a considerable package of activities for the benefit of the project participants, and the reduction of operational costs and outcomes at a large scale.

The effective collaboration with Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) has enabled approximately 45,000 households to access joint SVC and DFSA support in the territories of Walungu, Kabare, and Kalehe. Through the collaboration of its implementing partners(IPs), components, and other stakeholders, SVC has reached over 80,000 individuals with diversified technical support which has resulted in the following outcomes: an operational market information system in 6 markets, facilitation of market linkages, technical support to 256 producer organization/cooperative/enterprises, creation of 3,918 seasonal jobs, export of 56 containers of specialty coffee, process and sale of 3,295 tons of beans and soybeans, generation of $8,284,278 as sales value from its clients, mobilization of $12,548,248 from financial institutions (Equity BCDC bank), social investment organization and other value chains companies.