This study provides an illuminating insight into the complex dynamics between afforestation, food security and land tenure patterns in South Kivu. Comprehensive data was collected from households in 8 of the 15 administrative groupings in Kaziba. There has been a significant expansion of afforestation on agricultural land, fuelled by factors such as the creation of income from trees (37.5%), soil degradation and low field productivity (34.6%), the generation of tree-related employment (22.7%), and even rural exodus (5.2%). These changes are closely linked to key variables such as the age of the heads of household, their modes of access to land, and the year in which agricultural land was converted to afforestation (P-Value ≤ 5). Plantations generate higher incomes, which households use astutely to send their children to school, support commercial activities, repay previous debts, invest, purchase productive assets and, of course, buy food. Agricultural food production is relatively low, with 75% of households relying on local markets for their food supplies. This exposes them to high prices and cash shortages, due to the long planting cycle. The study highlights that 81.7% of households in Kaziba currently face food poverty, reflected by a food consumption score of between 0 and 21 points. Their average dietary diversity is based on three food categories: white roots and tubers, vegetables, and oils and fats.