Fatshimetrie, October 26, 2024 – Agribusiness is positioning itself as a strategic solution to get the Democratic Republic of Congo out of the current food crisis. This is what Henri Kalonda, a Congolese agripreneur, emphasized in a recent interview.
According to him, the agribusiness sector represents an essential lever to solve the problem of food shortages in the country. For Kalonda, the current crisis is mainly due to the lack of investment by the government, both at the national and provincial levels, in market gardening and food crops. He thus highlights the need to favor these local crops rather than colonial crops such as cocoa, coffee or rubber.
With this in mind, he advocates the creation of agricultural associations or cooperatives allowing the Congolese to enhance the richness of their soil and unite to cultivate together. Agricultural cooperatives, managers of agricultural businesses owned by farmers themselves, offer the possibility of supplying agricultural, animal and processed products up to the finished product intended for consumption.
Henri Kalonda proposes the establishment of different types of agricultural associations, such as the association for agricultural development, the agricultural trade association and the association for agro-industrial projects. These structures allow agripreneurs to collaborate effectively for the well-being of the Congolese population.
The advantages of agricultural associations are multiple, such as the valorization of members’ productions, the facilitation of access to agricultural credit, and the exemption of imported agricultural inputs. By promoting cooperation and the pooling of resources, these associations offer a concrete solution to combat the food crisis currently affecting the DRC.
Henri Kalonda also highlights the crucial role of entrepreneurs in the development of the country, emphasizing that entrepreneurship is an essential driver of any economic growth. He thus welcomes the efforts of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi and the authorities to support young and female Congolese entrepreneurs, and encourages increased support for agribusiness to ensure food security for the population.
In conclusion, agribusiness and the development of agricultural associations appear to be essential levers to get the DRC out of the food crisis. By focusing on cooperation, the promotion of local crops and support for agripreneurs, the country can envisage a more resilient and prosperous future for its entire population.
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