**The Quest for Quality in Cocoa and Coffee Production in the Democratic Republic of Congo**
In Ituri province, in the heart of the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, cocoa and coffee farmers are assigned an essential mission: to improve both the quantity and quality of their production. Faced with multiple obstacles and financial constraints, these farmers are nevertheless encouraged to continue their efforts, as a call for excellence in a sector vital to the local economy.
At the center of this dynamic, the deputy provincial director of the National Office of Agricultural Products of Congo (ONAPAC), Eugène Ukura Kurum, calls for increased support for producers. Despite limited resources and a lack of agronomists to supervise plantations, the challenge is clear: to increase local production while ensuring optimal quality.
The challenges are numerous, particularly in the Irumu and Mambasa territories, shaken by the activism of local armed groups and Ugandan ADF rebels. This constant threat hinders the movement of farmers and compromises the traceability of crops, jeopardizing the economy of an entire region.
Thus, to ensure a better future for these courageous producers, it is up to the authorities to financially support ONAPAC. This aid would be a lifeline to boost agricultural activities and guarantee the economic prosperity of the Ituri province. However, additional efforts by the security and defense services remain essential to eliminate these armed groups and restore a breath of security to farmers and agronomists in the field.
Beyond the figures and statistics, a real race towards agri-food excellence is looming in Ituri. Encouraging farmers, supporting them materially and morally, clearing the land of the threats that threaten them, these are the essential pillars of a flourishing and sustainable cocoa-coffee sector in the region. Nothing beats determination and solidarity to bring about success, even in the most difficult lands and the most complex contexts.