The role of religious authorities in an innovative approach in order to improve human capital for agricultural development: the case of the archdiocese of Bukavu (East of the Democratic Republic of Congo)

The province of South-Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a densely populated area with very good pedo-climatic conditions for agriculture. Though the agricultural potential is very high, poverty and hunger are widespread among rural areas, where families generally practice subsistence agriculture on less than 0.5 hectare. This paradoxical situation is mainly due to the lack of infrastructures and public support to agricultural activities and to a weak human capital. Faced to these problems, the religious organizations, like the archdiocese of Bukavu, take in charge more responsibilities in order to initiate the development of local rural communities by improving their human capital, based on good health, education and social relations for the largest majority of the
inhabitants, including the poorest. According to secondary data, it appears that the archdiocese of Bukavu runs a large network of structures dealing with health care, and also a large network of schools, from kindergartens to university. Based on a survey of 51 key actors, it is clear that these actions are highly appreciated. However, it is also considered that the involvement of the archdiocese in socioeconomic development is insufficient and should be reinforced. The archdiocese launched a pilot animal raising program since a decade, defined with the participation of the whole local population. This program increases the management capacity of the beneficiaries.
Finally, it appears that religious authorities can significantly contribute to the improvement of human capital in rural communities, especially when public authorities are not enough efficient in developing countries.