Agriculture Agriculture is the cornerstone of the region's economic base.
Maize,
beans,
bananas,
sweet potato,
peanuts and
cassava are among the
staple crops grown by the local farmers.
Coffee is also widely grown in the region, with
coffee beans being a valuable
cash crop. Farmers engage in
subsistence and
commercial farming. Apart from farming,
livestock rearing is another major component of the local economy.
Cattle,
goats,
sheep, and
poultry are commonly raised in Runingu. The proximity of
Lake Tanganyika provides fishing opportunities for the locals. The abundance of fish species in the lake supports the livelihoods of many families engaged in fishing activities. Trade and commerce flourished in Runingu, with local markets serving as economic hubs. The villages within the
groupement have marketplaces where locals round up to sell and purchase goods. The local economy is also influenced by cross-border trade with neighboring countries such as
Rwanda and
Burundi, taking advantage of the
groupement's strategic location. == See also ==