The importance of the Office National des Produits Agricoles du Congo (ONAPAC) in the Congolese economy cannot be underestimated. This public establishment is responsible for supervising and promoting agricultural products intended for export such as coffee, cocoa, rubber, vanilla, etc. However, during the second session of the ONAPAC Board of Directors for the year 2023, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Muke Mukengeshayi, highlighted the challenges facing ONAPAC and the need to raise awareness public opinion on the specific role of this body.
One of the main challenges that ONAPAC faces is the lack of adequate funding. Despite an annual budget estimated at $15 million, only a fraction of this sum is actually mobilized, i.e. only $3 million. This situation leads to cash flow problems and prevents ONAPAC from operating effectively. ONAPAC employees and managers do not receive their full salaries, which harms staff morale and motivation.
In addition, PCA Muke Mukengeshayi highlighted the little-known importance of ONAPAC. Contrary to what public opinion thinks, ONAPAC does not deal with all agricultural products, but only focuses on around twenty products intended for export. Its role is to supervise producers, processors and exporters of these products, thus ensuring a complete logistics chain, from production to export. ONAPAC also plays a crucial role in analyzing the quality of agricultural products, which helps determine their prices on the international market.
However, ONAPAC faces pressure from certain economic operators who are members of the Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC). These operators question the service fees reserved for ONAPAC, deeming them too high. This opposition jeopardizes the future of ONAPAC and risks compromising its ability to fulfill its missions.
Faced with these challenges, PCA Muke Mukengeshayi calls for support from the Minister of Agriculture to preserve the advantages of ONAPAC and guarantee its sustainability. He warns against maneuvers aimed at weakening this crucial organization for the Congolese agricultural economy.
In conclusion, ONAPAC occupies an essential place in the Congolese agricultural sector. Despite the financial difficulties it faces, this organization plays a crucial role in supervising and promoting agricultural products intended for export. It is essential to support ONAPAC to guarantee the development and competitiveness of the agricultural sector in Congo.