The Grand Katanga and Grand Kasaï region in the Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a corn flour crisis. For more than a month now, a 25 kg bag of maize has been trading between 75,000 and 100,000 Congolese francs, a situation that tends to persist. Faced with this situation, the Congolese government is adopting various projects, the latest of which was presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the National Economy, Vital Kamerhe, during the 98th meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The Minister’s recommendations include emergency measures to immediately meet supply demand and structural measures to solve the problem over time. For example, the government has decided to support local importers of maize flour and maize grains by offering a symbolic order to increase the available supply. However, the terms will be defined by the Ministry of National Economy with the governors of the provinces concerned.
Fiscal measures have also been decided, in particular the suspension of all duties, taxes and royalties, parafiscal charges on maize imports for a period of six months in order to encourage local importers to increase their import volume. In addition, there will be a suspension of duties, taxes and fees on the import of agricultural inputs and machinery to reduce the cost price and support local production.
One of the structural measures consists of working out jointly with local producers and farmers an emergency plan to increase local maize production together with quantitative objectives for the next agricultural season. The provincial authorities, in collaboration with the SNCC and the local producers, will have to define the practical methods of collection and accompaniment of the government to reinforce the production capacities and increase the productivity of the National Service.
The government also plans to build up strategic reserves of basic necessities to prevent the appearance of a crisis of this kind at any time. In addition, market surveillance will be strengthened with appropriate warning tools to anticipate possible shortages, discourage illicit pricing practices and stock retention.
The Ministry of Agriculture will also be strengthened to support local research in agricultural fisheries and livestock, particularly for INERA (National Institute for Agronomic Studies and Research). Finally, for close monitoring and evaluation of the government measures that will be adopted in the context of this file, a technical committee will be set up.
This file relating to the situation of the rise in corn flour prices is very important for the entire Congolese population.. The government has taken short-term measures to meet supply demand and long-term structural measures to address the problem and ensure the country’s food security.