ONAPAC Board of Directors meeting: an uncertain future despite significant challenges
On October 3, 2023, the second session of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Office of Agricultural Products of Congo (ONAPAC) was held. This meeting, chaired by Mr. Muke Mukengeshayi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, aimed to discuss the challenges facing ONAPAC and its role in regulating agricultural products intended for export.
During his speech to the media, Mr. Muke Mukengeshayi stressed the importance of clarifying the role of ONAPAC. Contrary to popular belief, ONAPAC does not deal with all agricultural products, but only around twenty of them intended for export such as coffee, cocoa, rubber, cinchona, papaya, vanilla and medicinal plants. Its role is to supervise the planters, processing, storage and transits, in order to guarantee optimal quality of the products for their export.
Unfortunately, ONAPAC faces many challenges, particularly financially. Me. Muke Mukengeshayi underlined the inability of ONAPAC to mobilize the 15 million dollars planned in its annual budget, which considerably limits its operation. Current revenues are only a fifth of that amount, just $3 million. This situation causes difficulties for ONAPAC employees, who do not receive their full salary.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors also warned against attempts by certain members of the Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC) to reduce the benefits of ONAPAC, in particular the rate of service fees of 2% on agricultural products. According to him, this would seriously compromise the future of ONAPAC, already facing major financial difficulties. He therefore requested the support of the Minister of Agriculture to counter this initiative which could have disastrous consequences for ONAPAC.
This meeting of the ONAPAC Board of Directors highlights the challenges facing this organization responsible for regulating agricultural products intended for export. Despite its essential missions for the development of the agricultural sector, ONAPAC fights against financial constraints which limit its effectiveness. Concerted action is needed to ensure a more stable and prosperous future for this key institution in the Congolese agricultural sector.