Skip to main content
Support

The Role of Agricultural Extension in Peacebuilding in the Central African Republic

AFR SVNP Paper
AFR SVNP Paper

The Central African Republic (CAR) has been engulfed in conflict for several decades, weakening the country’s social and economic fabric, including food production systems. The prolonged conflict has aggravated food insecurity, and the hunger caused by conflict contributes to systemic and entrenched insecurity. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) listing, as of June 2019, 41 percent of CAR’s population, were facing severe food insecurity. A revitalization of the agricultural sector is key to improved food security. Yet, agricultural extension services are often neglected as part of the broader peacebuilding strategy in post-conflict countries.

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar, Paterne Mombe, discusses the impact CAR’s conflict has had on agriculture and food security and examines the role of agricultural extension services in peacebuilding in post-conflict countries, with a focus on the Central African Republic (CAR). He highlights the detrimental effect that conflict has had food security in CAR and the transformative role agro-pastoral liaison services (APLS) can play in rebuilding peace and human security in the country. He also provides policy recommendations for how CAR’s government and international partners can utilize agricultural extension services and APLS to mitigate food insecurity and contribute to peacebuilding in CAR.

Tagged

About the Author

Paterne Auxence Mombe image

Paterne Auxence Mombe

Former Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar;
Graduate Student, Tangaza University
Read More

Africa Program

The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations.    Read more