The sustainable development of the oil palm sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo was at the heart of discussions during a round table organized by Palmelit RDC, Indigo and Rentec. This event, which was held at the Cercle Français in Kinshasa, brought together the main players in the sector, from agro-industries to small producers, including donors and suppliers of technologies and inputs.
The central theme of this round table was the need to reconcile the increase in palm oil production with the preservation of the country’s forest cover. Participants stressed the importance of increasing yields per hectare in order to reduce pressure on primary forests. With this in mind, Palmelit RDC presented its high performance seeds, which make it possible to obtain yields well above the current Congolese average.
Joseph Mbakam Mingina, Business Engineer and Market Manager for Improved Seeds at Palmelit in the DRC, insisted on the need to involve the government in the development of the sector. According to him, current projects, often financed by international donors, are limited in time and do not allow for sustainable industrialization of agricultural activity. He called for stronger government involvement in order to really boost the sector and help small producers escape poverty.
During this round table, various players in the sector presented their achievements and their perspectives. Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), for example, have highlighted their expertise in palm oil plantations. Representatives of the Equity BCDC bank and project support structures also outlined the criteria and conditions for obtaining financing in the sector.
This second edition of the round table on the oil palm sector in the DRC made it possible to raise awareness among government actors and stakeholders on the importance of sustainable development of this industry. It is essential to put in place policies and concrete actions to increase production while protecting the environment. The success of the oil palm sector in the DRC depends on cooperation between stakeholders and the involvement of the government in its promotion and supervision.