**Agricultural feeder roads in the DRC: a real challenge for trade and agriculture**
Agricultural feeder roads in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are a crucial element of the country’s economic development. However, many roads in the Gungu and Bulungu territories are in an advanced state of disrepair, posing major challenges to users, particularly traders and agricultural producers.
The difficulties of evacuating agricultural products to consumer markets such as Kinshasa and Kikwit have become a real ordeal for many actors in the sector. The recent rains have exacerbated the problems, making some roads almost impassable. For example, the road from Kikwit to the Niadi-Nkara sector, which stretches over 200 kilometers, has become a real headache due to the disrepair caused by bad weather.
The situation is equally serious for the road from Kikwit to Kahemba via Gungu territory, which is over 300 kilometers long. The obstacles encountered by traders in accessing agricultural production basins are jeopardizing tons of products that could be transported to markets. This reality impacts not only local actors but also the national economy as a whole.
Civil society representatives from Gungu and Bulungu territories are calling for urgent action to rehabilitate these crucial roads. They stress that President Tshisekedi’s promise to rehabilitate 38,000 kilometers of agricultural feeder roads must include these essential routes for the production and trade of agricultural products.
The rehabilitation of agricultural feeder roads in the DRC is a priority to improve the connectivity of agricultural regions and stimulate economic development. The delays and difficulties encountered so far have been costly in terms of economic and social losses. It is now imperative that the relevant authorities take concrete measures to meet the needs of local populations and promote the growth of the agricultural sector.
In conclusion, the rehabilitation of agricultural feeder roads in the DRC is not only an infrastructure issue, but also a crucial issue for food security, economic growth and the well-being of the populations. It is time to act to remedy this situation and build a more prosperous future for all actors in the agricultural sector in the country.