Magage Josue

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the shift from agriculture to mineral extraction intensified beginning in the 1970s and has led to widespread hunger and poverty, leaving communities dependent on imported food. In response, Magage is transforming perceptions of agriculture by revitalizing it as a viable opportunity, empowering 150,000 farmers with essential resources and support, and proving that agriculture can drive sustainable development and food security in the region.

Magage is fundamentally transforming perceptions of agriculture in the DRC by revitalizing farming as a viable and profitable opportunity. This initiative shifts the narrative away from the stigma that associates farming with low status, positioning farmers as valuable contributors to society. Since the 1970s, the DRC has experienced a significant shift from agriculture to mineral extraction, prioritizing mineral wealth over agricultural development and leading to widespread hunger and poverty. As communities became increasingly dependent on imported food, traditional farming practices were neglected, resulting in a loss of agricultural knowledge and social cohesion. However, Magage is reversing this trend, making agriculture an attractive option for everyone, including wealthy and well-educated individuals. By highlighting agriculture's potential to enhance living standards and improve food accessibility, Magage fosters pride among farmers, encouraging them to embrace their essential roles in the economy and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

To achieve these transformative changes, Magage has forged strategic partnerships with local organizations, government agencies, and international bodies like the FAO. Through this collaborative approach, he equips farmers with upgraded seeds, training, and market access—tools that empower them to become agents of change in their communities. As a result, 150,000 farmers can now adequately feed their families, with over 20,000 children pursuing higher education in agronomy. Many farmers have improved their living conditions, purchased land, and built homes, demonstrating that agriculture can serve as a powerful driver of sustainable development and poverty reduction, significantly contributing to food security in the DRC.

The remarkable growth of this initiative—from 5,000 to 150,000 farmers— underscores its impact on enhancing living standards and food accessibility. By establishing a network of agronomists dedicated to supporting farmers with modern techniques, Magage is driving systemic change to address food shortages. This initiative not only provides essential resources but also fosters connections among farmers, creating self-sufficient communities and rebuilding the broken agricultural system. Magage's work exemplifies the transformative power of agriculture, showing that with the right support and resources, farming can uplift entire communities and create a more sustainable future for the DRC.

The DRC is facing a severe hunger and poverty crisis, with approximately 60% of its population living below the poverty line. Many communities depend on subsistence agriculture, which is often insufficient to meet their nutritional needs. Despite the DRC's wealth of natural resources, over 27 million people are estimated to be food insecure, with malnutrition rates alarmingly high among children. Factors such as limited access to land, outdated agricultural practices, and ongoing conflict exacerbate these challenges, leaving families struggling to secure adequate food and pushing them deeper into poverty.

Historically, the DRC was once a significant food producer, but during the Mobutu regime, the focus shifted dramatically towards mineral extraction. This neglect of agriculture has resulted in a heavy reliance on imported food, which many families cannot afford. The prioritization of mining over agricultural development has not only diminished local food production but also left the population vulnerable to fluctuations in global food prices. The current situation illustrates a stark contrast between the country's rich natural resources and the prevailing food insecurity, underscoring the systemic issues at play.

Compounding these problems is the lack of agricultural extension services, which leaves farmers without the necessary support and training to enhance their practices. Government-trained agronomists often remain unpaid, resulting in a shortage of qualified personnel to assist local farmers. Insecurity and poor infrastructure further hinder access to markets, making it difficult for farmers to transport their goods. Many views agriculture merely as a means of subsistence rather than a potential source of income, which has begun to shift thanks to initiatives promoting agribusiness. However, ongoing conflicts continue to disrupt farming activities, driving people away from their lands. The absence of electricity in agricultural areas limits production capabilities, leading many communities to rely on humanitarian aid, perpetuating a cycle of dependency and a lack of hope in a broken system.

Magage employs a multifaceted strategy to revitalize agriculture in the DRC, focusing on organizing farmers and creating a transformative model that inspires hope and shifts mindsets. Central to this approach is the establishment of farmers’ unions, which initially united 5,000 farmers under structured leadership. Each union is organized around specific crops, enabling members to leverage their collective expertise in cultivation and marketing. By forming these unions, Magage lays the groundwork for a well-structured leadership framework, with each union led by a president. This organization comprises a general assembly and a committee, empowering farmers to actively engage in decision-making processes. Through this structured approach, farmers negotiate purchases and prices, maintain communication with buyers, and explore new market opportunities, fostering a strong sense of community and collective empowerment.



Determined to break the cycle of poverty, Magage focused on creating a model that would empower farmers and enhance their living standards. The unions ensure that farmers are fairly represented in the market, and his emphasis on collaboration and communication enables farmers to engage more effectively with the market and enhances their bargaining power. Farmers in Magage's network have self-organized into groups that foster collaboration and mutual support. This structure not only empowers them to overcome the stigmas associated with farming but also elevates their status within the community. As they unite, they transform agriculture from a low-status occupation into a respected profession, showcasing their contributions to food security and economic stability. This shift in perception is not just internal; it affects how society views farmers, recognizing them as vital players in driving change and innovation. This shift in perspective is vital for fostering a sense of agency among farmers, encouraging them to view agriculture as a viable and profitable venture rather than merely a means of subsistence.



The success of this leadership model has garnered attention from the government and various NGOs, which are eager to learn from Magage’s approach. By effectively grouping and structuring farmers, Magage has set a precedent for transforming agricultural practices and changing mindsets across the DRC. The agricultural practices promoted by Magage have led to remarkable increases in crop yields—corn yields have risen by 400%, beans by 333%, and soya by 222%. This agricultural success translates to enhanced food security, reducing dependency on imported food, and fostering self-reliance within communities. Companies like Virunga Coffee now source their premium coffee from the IPAP organization, which Magage leads, bringing together these farmers’ unions to enhance productivity and create value chains around crops such as soybeans.





Financing is a critical component of Magage’s strategy, aimed at creating access to initial resources that empower farmers to become self-sustaining. To support farmers financially, Magage prefinances agricultural activities, providing guarantees to banks so farmers can access loans for immediate needs, such as school fees and food, before harvest time. This allows them to repay loans gradually, often without interest, and even secure funds to build permanent homes. Collaborating with agronomists, IPAP equips farmers with essential skills and knowledge that boost productivity and foster innovative practices. Strategic partnerships with institutions like the National Institute for Agronomic Studies and Research (INERA) ensure access to high-quality seeds, which are multiplied and distributed on credit within the community, creating a sustainable growth cycle. The impact of this model is profound, enhancing income levels, improving environmental practices, and shifting perspectives on farming as a viable and respected career.



Financial support also extends to harvest. For example, IPAP facilitates the pre-purchase of harvests by organisations that will need to distribute the food to displaced camps and refugee camps in other regions. IPAP also builds opportunities with large organizations like the World Food Program to purchase food directly from farmers' unions, thereby securing access to regional and international markets.



To enhance economic stability, Magage aggregates harvests at collection centers, where farmers receive training on effective selling strategies and negotiation techniques with buyers, leading to increased incomes. To further spread this successful model, Magage initiates programs that bring agricultural experts from other countries, like Kenya, to share experiences and best practices. Additionally, he encourages farmers to train others in their communities through outreach initiatives via radio and television. Each year, over 1,000 farmers receive training from their peers, fostering mutual assistance and shared successes that ultimately pave the way for a more sustainable agricultural future in the DRC.

Magage, meaning "local drink," reflects the hunger and hardships he faced during his childhood. Born in 1973 in Bunagana city, North Kivu province of the DRC, he grew up surrounded by poverty and misery. His parents were farmers in a community where most people relied on agriculture. From a young age, Magage actively participated in farming, helping his parents cultivate their fields. In his community, it was customary for families to reserve portions of their land for children to learn and grow. Despite his limited primary school education, he formed groups with friends to cultivate and sell crops together.

Throughout his early years, Magage experienced periods of extreme hunger, which deeply impacted his perspective on life. His father was able to trade crops in neighboring countries, and Magage would travel with him sometimes. In those travels, he saw people who were thriving, and he became determined not to live in poverty like his parents. He ultimately started a retail business that became very successful.

In 2004, Magage had the opportunity to visit Uganda and Kenya, where he observed farmers enjoying a high standard of living and thriving agricultural practices. . Inspired by the successful practices he witnessed, he returned to the DRC, purchased tracts of land, and embarked on his own successful farming journey. He had managed to rise above his circumstances and make farming a productive and successful enterprise, but he started asking himself if that mattered if the people around him were still living in hunger and poverty. In 2011, he established the Initiative for Agro-Pastoral Promotion (IPAP), a network designed to uplift farming communities and enhance their living standards through structured support. Having endured poverty for most of his life, Magage dedicated himself to transforming the lives of other farmers, helping them build sustainable economies and achieve new standards of living.Magage, through IPAP, has successfully grouped farmers into structured unions with dedicated committees to positively change the narrative about agriculture in the DRC. Between 2014 and 2018, he trained farmers and connected them to vital resources, developing a scalable model that has expanded to various regions. This model facilitates knowledge transfer among farmers, promoting sustainable farming practices using modern techniques.

Currently, there are 25 farmers' unions, each composed of 5,000 members, and Magage's vision extends towards the Central African Republic and Burundi in the near future. He envisions a future where over 50 million farmers across the DRC benefit from this initiative. By establishing production, collection, and sales centers, farmers can focus on cultivating crops while ensuring fair compensation through selling incentives.

With a strong emphasis on agribusiness, financial education, mindset and marketing, farmers enhance their understanding of business principles, maximizing profits, and fostering sustainable livelihoods. Through these interconnected strategies, Magage and IPAP are transforming agriculture into a viable profession, crafting a brighter future for the Congolese population.