Tenke Fungurume Mining, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Hosts Successful Agriculture Program in Democratic Republic of Congo

Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) supplies local farmers in the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo with seeds, fertilizer and training on improved agricultural practices as part of a corn credit program.

The program, which was launched in 2008 and has been directly managed by TFM since 2010, has helped farmers to quadruple their yields. It is part of a larger initiative to promote agricultural development in the communities surrounding mining operations.

TFM’s team of community development agronomists evaluate participants and conduct one-on-one training with farmers as well as group training via crop demonstration plots. They also provide direct support to farmers in the form of seed and fertilizer, and assist with data collection to ensure program success.

Farmers have increased their yields to 4.7 tons per hectare in 2013 from 0.8 to 1.2 tons in 2008.

During the most recent agricultural season, the corn credit program reached nearly 630 maize farmers in 27 villages – including 161 women – who farmed a combined 640 hectares. Participants reimbursed 99 percent of the credit from TFM, which demonstrates the value they see in the program.

For further information about Freeport-McMoRan’s social investment commitments, please see: http://www.fcx.com/sd/community/comm_invest.htm

Please see the 2013 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report for more information on all of their social, economic and environmental efforts.