Democratic Republic of Congo: Water and Food Supply Issues and Solutions

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country of many resources. There are many options that can be pursued to increase the food and water supply in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

There are many methods of maximizing the food supply in this country. Traditional Crossbreeding, the Green Revolution, and Interplanting are all options that can help increase the food supply in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Traditional crossbreeding is a method of increasing crop supplies, but it is not the most efficient. This method improves crops for a period of time, but it can take as long as 15 years. Crossbreeding can create plants that some may enjoy, but the surrounding environment can adapt to these improved crops. When the environment adapts the pests that these plants were immune to will also adapt leaving the crops susceptible to these pests. Traditional crossbreeding only works on species that are similar in genetics as well.

The green revolution is another method of increasing the food supply. This method uses the same amount of land to produce more crops, but it also needs more fertilizer, pesticides, and water. Worst of all the green revolution uses a lot of fossil fuels which is not beneficial in the long run. The green revolution is a method that has some pros, but I feel the pros are out weighed by the cons.

The use of interplanting, especially low input polyculture, seems to be the best methods of maximizing the food supply in The Democratic Republic of Congo. Through the use if interplanting many different crops will be produced. The loss of crops will be reduced because the many varieties of plants will increase weather resistance. The use of insecticides will decrease due to the creating of an environment that supports the natural predators of these pests. The varying crops will also help provide different nutrients to the soil so there is less of a need for fertilizer. Interplanting is the best method for crop production.

Water is a major resource and necessary for all human life, yet the water supply in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is in bad condition. The water is not only unsanitary, but it is also inacessible. These water supply issues need to be dealt with in order to help the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The poor conditions of the drinking water in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a serious issue that has to be dealt with.
"One in five children in DR Congo dies before reaching five years of age. Diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases account for 1 in 10 of these child deaths" (Water is plentiful but not safe enough for children in DR Congo).

The water supply in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is barely accessible. "Less than half of the Congolese population has access to safe drinking water" (Water is plentiful but not safe enough for children in DR Congo). This is startling and intensely in need of repair. If the people are not able to access water supplies they are malnourished and in danger.

There are many ways to increase water supplies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. First the water reservoirs need to be rehabilitated and made sanitary and safe. The use of better irrigation methods will help maintain the drink ability of water. The water wastes made in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be used for fertilization of crops as well to increase crops. Sinking boreholes in order to make water more accessible is a good option. The water supply in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be improved with time, money, and effort.