The Contribution of Subsistence Agriculture to the Livelihoods of the Smallholder Farmers in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Subsistence agriculture is practiced in most parts of the world on a limited space of land by farmers. It is mainly dependent on human power that results into production of food consumed at household level, with little or no surplus for sale. A study about the contribution of subsistence agriculture to the livelihoods of the smallholder farmers in south Kivu province was carried out. A total of 303 smallholder farmers were randomly selected and interviewed to examine the effects of practicing subsistence agriculture on the socioeconomic status of the farmers. How the socioeconomic status attained by the farmers influenced their sustainable livelihoods was also assessed. Data were analyzed using means, frequency distribution, correlation, ANOVA and Chi square test. Thematic analysis was done on qualitative data. The farmers practiced shifting and primitive agriculture, intensive subsistence, and nomadic herding. There was a significant difference in the yields of crops grown (F = 0.0088; P = 0.05), while education and income status significantly affected the farmer’s socioeconomic status by practicing subsistence agriculture (P < 0.05). An average mean value of 3.12 for the components of the farmers’ livelihoods were exhibited, with the human capital mean value being highest (4.16) compared to natural, social and financial capital. The socioeconomic status attained had a significant effect on sustainable livelihoods of the farmers at P < 0.05. This implies that the smallholder farmers need to be trained by the agricultural extension workers better and sustainable methods of farming for higher crop yields. In addition, the Central Government though the Ministry of Agriculture, should avail improved seed inputs to the local community for better crop yields. All these will enable the smallholder farmers improve their socioeconomic status and at the same time attain higher sustainable livelihoods.