ONAPAC Board of Directors meeting at the Memling Hotel
On Tuesday, 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 at the Memling Hotel. Under the leadership of Mr. Muke Mukengeshayi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ONAPAC, this meeting brought together the Director General, the Administrators and the Secretary General of the Board of Directors, as well as the representative of the Minister of Agriculture .
During his speech to the media, PCA Me. Muke Mukengeshayi addressed the context of this meeting as well as the missions of ONAPAC. He notably recalled that ONAPAC does not deal with all agricultural products, but only around twenty products intended for export such as coffee, cocoa, rubber, cinchona, papaya, vanilla and medicinal plants. He stressed that ONAPAC’s mission is to supervise planters, processing, storage and transit, thus covering the entire chain, from production to export. ONAPAC also plays an essential role in analyzing the quality of products to determine their prices on the international market.
However, the PCA also highlighted the difficulties that ONAPAC faces. He revealed that out of an annual budget of $15 million, only $3 million was mobilized, which jeopardizes the smooth running of the company. ONAPAC agents and executives therefore do not receive all of their salaries.
In addition, the PCA warned of the delaying tactics of certain members of the Congo Business Federation (FEC), who call into question certain advantages of ONAPAC. According to him, this attitude could lead to the disappearance of ONAPAC, already struggling to mobilize its annual budget. He called on the support of the Minister of Agriculture to counter these maneuvers.
This meeting of the ONAPAC Board of Directors highlights the challenges the organization faces in carrying out its mission. Financial issues and political pressures require particular attention to ensure the sustainability of ONAPAC and the promotion of Congolese agriculture on the international market.