BCI's activities take place in the Bonobo habitat in the Cuvette Centrale of theCongo Basin. This region is found south of the arc of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The area is sparsely populated with several larger population centers and plantations disbursed throughout the region. As a result of economic collapse, political instability and armed conflicts, export farming companies have retreated from the region, further reducing income opportunities. In many areas there are no regular markets or systems in place to grow and disseminate agricultural products, a key factor in the expansion of the commercial bushmeat trade. Bushmeat hunting is virtually epidemic in some areas, where markets overflow with every conceivable species from the forest.

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As the bonobo habitat is fragmented with human populations mixed throughout, it has been a priority to partner with and support the interests of the local populations and develop education/sensibilization campaigns and to address the economic and humanitarian needs of these people. BCI’s ultimate goal is to develop, in cooperation with partners, a Land Use Management Plan. This management plan is being developed in the context of the Bonobo Peace Forest. The Bonobo Peace Forest will ultimately extend geographically and through partnership arrangements to other areas of the bonobo habitat in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Bonobo Peace Forest will comprise a linked constellation of community-based reserves and sustainable development zones. To date, four Community-Based Reserves/Community-Based Natural Resource Management Areas are in development at Kokolopori, Lonua, Mompano, Sankuru/Lomela and Mabali/Botuali; other communities, concessionaires, and stakeholders have also signed accords to be part of the Peace Forest network. [Learn about other initiatives - download pdf]

BCI has been working with the South-East Consortium for International Development to implement and coordinate sustainable agriculture (Cassava project) programs as a core development model for the region. By building on this model, BCI and SECID have a significant opportunity to play a leadership role in Equateur for development and conservation, as well as to establish pilot programs and models for integrated development that can be utilized in other regions of the Congo and the world. The most critical factor in the development of these programs will be the ability to implement holistic, multi-sectoral programs that address local needs, generate support from regional and national authorities and attract attention and support of international partners. he An important element of all of these programs is the support and promotion of women. [see Women's Initiatives]

Cassava

BCI and partner, Vie Sauvage have established 19 multiplication and production fields for disease-resistant cassava in both Kokolopori (12 sites) and Lonua (7 sites), with the technical support from SECID. This is having a major positive impact with villagers, who are already benefiting greatly from this with improved, healthy cassava for their own sustenance as well as developing production for sale. Improved yield will also help reduce the agricultural footprint of the local farmers, facilitating compliance with the zoning agreements. Cuttings are available to share with other villages; we are looking to provide this assistance to Wamba in coordination with CREF.

We have also implemented the cassava program in the Lac Tumba region with CREF and a number of community-based organizations.

In addition to agricultural projects being developed in coordination with conservation efforts, we are also implementing a number of micro-enterprise programs and providing micro-credit training to community and NGO leaders. All projects are being developed through a new BCI subdivision, "African Community Enterprise (ACE)." Please visit later to learn more about ACE's activities.