Effects of mining pressure on production costs and the profitability of family-run farms in Lualaba: a case study of the village of Muvunda near Kamoa mining

Abstract

This study analyses the effects of mining pressure on production costs and the profitability of family farms in the village of Muvunda in Lualaba. A survey was conducted amongst 195 farming households and the data were analysed using R software. The results show that 42.6 per cent of households grow both food crops and market crops, whilst maize is the main food crop (69.7 per cent). The average maize yield is 2,379 kg/ha, compared with 8,662 kg/ha for cassava. Total production costs rise from 895,000 to 1,220,000 CDF/ha (USD 390 to 531) between farms with low and high exposure to mining pressure, representing an increase of 36.3 per cent. Profitability falls in parallel from 360.3 per cent to 195.9 per cent. The regression analysis confirms a significant negative effect of mining pressure on profitability (β = −0.284; p = 0.008). These results demonstrate that mining pressure constitutes a major economic constraint for family farming in Muvunda.

Keywords: Mining pressure; production costs; agricultural profitability; family farms; Lualaba.

Received Date: August 17, 2026

Accepted Date: September 09, 2026

Published Date: October 01, 2026

Available Online at: https://www.ijsrisjournal.com/index.php/ojsfiles/article/view/956