Fatshimetrie, October 15, 2024 (ACP). A worrying situation is emerging on the market stalls of the city of Kikwit and its surroundings, in the province of Kwilu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Indeed, a shortage of peppers is currently observed, causing concern among residents and local traders.
The first signs of this crisis emerged recently, when the seller Solange Mubiala at the central market of Kikwit reported an alarming shortage of peppers. According to her, this situation is largely due to poor seed management in the surrounding villages. It seems that some villagers, due to the lack of maturity of the peppers, are forced to consume them before term, thus compromising the regular supply of the markets.
This shortage has forced the city to currently depend on the province of Kongo Central, via Kinshasa, to supply itself with peppers. This external dependence has led to a significant increase in the prices of this commodity, directly impacting consumers’ budgets. Previously, half a basin of peppers could be purchased for 60,000 FC during the supply period from Kwango province. Today, the same half-basin is sold for 100,000 FC or more, with units selling for between 1,000 and 2,000 FC.
The situation is all the more worrying since Kwango province, the main source of pepper supply for the city of Kikwit, is affected by a Teke-yaka conflict involving the “Mobondo” phenomenon. This conflict has seriously disrupted the agricultural activities of local farmers, who have abandoned their fields for fear of clashes, thus exacerbating the current crisis.
In view of this worrying situation, it is imperative to put in place emergency measures to alleviate the shortage of chillies and ensure a stable supply on the markets of Kikwit and its surroundings. It is also crucial to encourage sustainable management of agricultural seeds in the villages, in order to avoid such situations in the future and to preserve the food security of the local populations. ACP/C.L.