### A Silent Revolution: Returning to the Roots of Agriculture in the Democratic Republic of Congo
On January 24, at the Pullman Hotel Chapiteau in Kinshasa, Equity BCDC in partnership with Opportunity International, brought together stakeholders from the agricultural sector for a day that was much more than just a conference. This event aimed to drive a dynamic of renewal in an area that is essential to the Congolese economy: agriculture. While many countries are still struggling to find a sustainable path after the economic shocks caused by the pandemic, the DRC, with its natural resources and abundant labor force, is at a turning point.
#### An Enriching Historical Context
The DRC is a country that has historically always been a land of agriculture. Congolese farmers have cultivated fertile land for centuries, but the modernization of the sector has suffered from several shortcomings, including the lack of infrastructure, financing and appropriate training. In essence, generations of farmers have been operating in a system that has failed to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the global market.
The Equity BCDC exchange day could be seen as a pivot in this often bleak picture. By injecting innovations and financial solutions, this initiative aims to reinvigorate the sector. But what makes this initiative truly revolutionary?
#### A Long-Term Vision for the Sector
Paty-Paterne Mushagalusa, Director of Commercial Projects, said that agriculture has been placed at the heart of the bank’s growth strategy. By clearly stating that “it is possible to access financing that has always been lacking”, he underlines a fundamental change in the mindset of financial institutions. This concern for financial accessibility goes beyond a simple agricultural credit initiative. It paves the way for a transformation of the economic landscape, where smallholder farmers can aspire to profitability and sustainability.
Opportunities for women and youth are particularly noteworthy. Indeed, with over 70% of the agricultural workforce made up of women and 60% of the population under 25, the DRC needs solutions that are not only inclusive, but truly empowering.
Olivier Nzanza Lukau, representing the Executive Director, spoke about the National Strategic Development Plan 2024-2028. This regulatory and visionary government framework pushes Equity BCDC and Opportunity International to anchor their actions in a dynamic that transcends the traditional circle of finance.
#### Data and Perspectives
The impact of the agricultural program should not be underestimated. The mention of more than 2 billion USD made available by the Equity Foundation to support the agricultural sector is a strong signal. By way of comparison, we note that other countries, such as Kenya, known for its agricultural development through innovation, also rely on partnerships with banks and NGOs to support its farmers.
Let us take the example of the Kenyan assistance program such as “Kenya Vision 2030”, which focuses on the integration of technology in agriculture. This has allowed a considerable increase in agricultural production in the country. The DRC has every opportunity to follow this path, with local adaptations, by ensuring that it fully exploits its land and resources, but also through technology.
#### Convergence and Innovation
This day of exchanges highlighted innovations that can transform the Congolese agricultural landscape. Precision agriculture, for example, a method that uses information technology to adjust the way land is farmed, could be the lever needed to revitalize the sector. Drones to monitor crops, smart irrigation tools, and digital platforms to connect farmers to markets could be game changers.
In a broader perspective, it is imperative to consider technical capacity building and continuous training for farmers. Education and training programs must be combined with this financing to enable a real transformation of the mentality around agriculture.
#### Conclusion: Towards a Promising Future
The Equity BCDC exchange day is not just an event. It represents an ambitious step towards modern agriculture in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Far from being just a question of financing, the commitment to increasing access to financial education and technical innovations could start a real revolution in a currently underexploited sector. The DRC has all the cards in hand to become a pioneer in rural agricultural development, but this will require a collective effort, strategic policies, and an unwavering will to restore agriculture to its rightful place. The real question then is: is the DRC ready to take up this challenge?