Title: The challenges of food self-sufficiency in Congo: abandoned projects and persistent needs
Introduction :
Congo, despite its 10 million hectares of arable land, remains heavily dependent on food imports to feed its population of 5 million inhabitants. Imports, estimated at 700 billion CFA francs per year, reveal the difficulties encountered by the country in its quest for food self-sufficiency. Despite the government’s efforts to develop agriculture and develop arable land, many projects have been abandoned due to financing problems and the fall in the price of oil, the dominant sector of the Congolese economy.
Abandoned projects and a lack of funding:
The New Agricultural Village of Nkouo, launched in 2010, is an example of an abandoned project. This site, which had more than 700 operators specializing in egg production, now only accommodates around forty people. Farmers describe mediocre production, intended only to maintain the image of a village producing table eggs. Despite the efforts of the Congolese government, it is clear that the lack of sustainable financing and the fall in oil prices have thwarted the country’s ambitions for food self-sufficiency.
PDAC support to revive agriculture:
The Commercial Agriculture Development Project (PDAC), financed by the World Bank, has enabled some agricultural projects to survive, including the New Agricultural Village of Nkouo. However, farmers are seeing a significant drop in production, from over 666,000 eggs per month to just 96,000 eggs per month. To revive agriculture, the Congolese authorities hope to obtain Kuwaiti funds, the amount of which has not yet been revealed.
Mistakes made and actions to take:
According to Justin Alain N’sangou of the Congolese Consumer Rights Observatory, errors were made in the implementation of agricultural policies. He underlines the importance of perpetuating quality seed, operationalizing the Agricultural Research Institute and strengthening the capacities of actors in the agricultural sector to support producers. Additionally, it is crucial to mechanize agriculture and simplify financing for farmers. By following these recommendations, food self-sufficiency could be within reach for Congo.
Conclusion :
The quest for food self-sufficiency in Congo faces many challenges, such as abandoned agricultural projects and persistent financing needs. Despite the government’s efforts, the country remains largely dependent on food imports. To revive agriculture, it is essential to identify past errors and put in place concrete measures, in particular by ensuring quality seed, operationalizing agricultural research institutes and facilitating access to financing for farmers. . With these actions, food self-sufficiency could finally become a reality for Congo.