ONAPAC Board of Directors meeting at the Memling Hotel in 2023
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, PCA of ONAPAC, took place in the Maiko room of the Memling hotel.
Present at this meeting were the Director General, the Administrators and the Secretary General of the Board of Directors of ONAPAC, as well as the Representative of the Minister of Agriculture.
Mr. Muke Mukengeshayi took the opportunity to recall the context of this meeting and the missions of ONAPAC. He stressed that contrary to what many think, ONAPAC does not deal with all agricultural products, but only around twenty intended for export, such as coffee, cocoa, rubber, cinchona. , papaya, vanilla and medicinal plants.
The PCA also highlighted the key role of ONAPAC in supervising planters, processing, storage and transit of agricultural products, thus ensuring the entire chain, from production to export. He also highlighted the importance of ONAPAC in analyzing the quality of agricultural products, thus determining their prices in the international market.
However, despite these crucial responsibilities, Me. Muke Mukengeshayi highlighted the difficulties encountered by ONAPAC in mobilizing the necessary funds. Out of an annual budget of 15 million dollars, only 3 million are actually mobilized, which does not allow ONAPAC to fully cover its expenses and pay full salaries to its employees.
The PCA also alerted to the delaying maneuvers of certain members of the Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC), aimed at reducing the advantages granted to ONAPAC. He asked for the support of the Minister of Agriculture to counter these maneuvers and ensure the sustainability of ONAPAC.
In conclusion, this meeting of the ONAPAC Board of Directors highlighted the challenges facing the office and the need to guarantee its proper functioning to support the Congolese agricultural sector. It is essential to find solutions to ensure fair remuneration of ONAPAC employees and maintain its crucial role in the development of the country’s agriculture and exports.