ONAPAC Board of Directors meeting in 2023: Challenges and issues for Congolese agriculture
The Maiko room of the Memling hotel recently hosted the second session of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Office of Agricultural Products of Congo (ONAPAC) for the year 2023. Under the direction of Me. Muke Mukengeshayi, PCA of ONAPAC, this meeting brought together the general management, the administrators and the secretary general of the board of directors of this public establishment, as well as the representative of the Minister of Agriculture.
During this meeting, the PCA highlighted the challenges facing ONAPAC and the missions entrusted to it as a state body. He clarified the role of ONAPAC by specifying that this organization only deals with around twenty agricultural products intended for export such as coffee, cocoa, rubber, papaya, vanilla, etc. He wanted to correct a widespread misconception according to which ONAPAC would be responsible for all the country’s agricultural products.
The PCA also underlined that ONAPAC’s mission is to supervise planters, processing, storage and all transits, thus covering the entire chain from production to export. He highlighted the role of ONAPAC in analyzing the quality of agricultural products, thus determining their prices on the international market.
However, despite the importance of its mission, ONAPAC faces enormous financial difficulties. The PCA revealed that out of an annual budget of 15 million dollars, only 3 million were mobilized, which does not allow ONAPAC to fully cover its expenses and affects employee salaries. He stressed the urgency of a solution to ensure the proper functioning of this organization.
The PCA also expressed its concerns about the delaying tactics carried out by certain members of the Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC) aimed at reducing the benefits of ONAPAC. According to him, this endangers the very existence of ONAPAC, which is already struggling to effectively mobilize its annual budget. He therefore called on the Minister of Agriculture to support ONAPAC and to counter these harmful projects.
This meeting of the ONAPAC Board of Directors highlights the challenges facing Congolese agriculture. It is crucial to find solutions to ensure the sustainability of ONAPAC and support the country’s agricultural producers. Cooperation between public and private actors is essential to develop and promote the agricultural sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo.