Protecting 8,500 Hectares of Congo Basin Forest While Creating Sustainable Livelihoods for Rural Families

In the remote landscapes of Haut-Uele, Democratic Republic of Congo, one of Africa's most important tropical forest regions is under increasing pressure from artisanal mining, charcoal production, and unsustainable agricultural expansion. These activities are accelerating deforestation, degrading water sources, threatening biodiversity, and weakening the livelihoods of rural communities that depend on healthy ecosystems for survival.

At Alphome Community Farms, we believe that the people living closest to forests are their most effective protectors. Through our flagship initiative, AgriGuard360, we are empowering local communities to become leaders in forest conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development.

Impact Snapshot

8,500 hectares of forest monitored and protected
4,771 forest disturbance alerts verified on the ground
25 trained community forest monitors actively conducting field patrols
24 hectares under agroforestry restoration
More than 1,200 farmers reached through sustainable agriculture initiatives
Climate-smart farming alternatives helping reduce dependence on slash-and-burn agriculture
Women and youth placed at the center of restoration, environmental stewardship, and livelihood creation

AgriGuard360 combines satellite-based forest monitoring, community-led conservation, agroforestry restoration, and climate-smart agriculture into a practical and scalable model for protecting forests while improving livelihoods.

Working alongside local communities, we train and equip community forest monitors to verify satellite-detected forest disturbances, collect field evidence, map environmental threats, and support conservation action. When forest loss is detected, local monitoring teams can quickly respond and document activities occurring on the ground.

At the same time, we help farmers adopt agroforestry systems and regenerative farming practices that increase agricultural productivity, improve soil health, diversify household income, and reduce pressure on natural forests. Through farmer training, agroforestry development, and value-added agricultural enterprises, communities gain sustainable economic opportunities while becoming active stewards of the environment.

To date, Alphome Community Farms has monitored over 8,500 hectares of forest, verified 4,771 forest disturbance alerts through field investigations, trained community forest monitors, and supported farmers in adopting sustainable land-use practices that protect forests while improving household incomes.

Our work has been supported and recognized by the World Resources Institute through the Global Forest Watch Small Grants Fund, the U.S. Department of State Community Engagement Exchange Program, Global Growers Network, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, and the Global Diversity Foundation. These partnerships strengthen our capacity to deliver measurable environmental, social, and economic impact in one of the world's most important forest landscapes.

Your Support Will Help Us

Expand community forest monitoring across remote and high-risk areas of Haut-Uele
Establish agroforestry nurseries and increase native tree production
Train and equip local restoration and conservation brigades
Scale climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry systems for smallholder farmers
Strengthen satellite monitoring, field data collection, and environmental reporting
Create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women and youth
Develop a women-led peanut processing and value-addition facility that increases local incomes while reducing dependence on forest-destructive activities

We believe the future of the Congo Basin depends on empowering communities as long-term custodians of their forests. By investing in community-led conservation, sustainable agriculture, and local entrepreneurship, we can protect critical ecosystems, strengthen rural economies, and create lasting climate resilience for future generations.

Current Funding Priorities

Expansion of community forest monitoring and early-warning systems
Agroforestry nurseries and landscape restoration activities
Women-led peanut processing and agricultural value addition
Youth climate leadership and environmental stewardship training
Community-based forest restoration and sustainable land management

Funding Need

$150,000 to expand community forest monitoring, restore degraded landscapes, strengthen agroforestry systems, support women-led enterprises, and create sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities across Haut-Uele.

Your Impact

Every $100 supports a community forest monitor
Every $500 helps restore degraded land through agroforestry
Every $1,000 trains farmers in climate-smart agriculture
Every $5,000 expands forest monitoring and protection coverage

Together, these investments help protect forests, strengthen rural livelihoods, support women and youth, and build a more resilient future for communities living at the heart of the Congo Basin.

Visit our website https://www.alphomefarms.org