The DRC shares borders with nine neighboring countries and is the second-largest country on the African continent. Its hot and humid climate is characterized by high rainfall, sometimes reaching up to 2,000 mm per year in the central basin. The DRC possesses nearly 80 million hectares of arable land and 4 million hectares of irrigable land, of which only 1% is currently cultivated. Smallholder farming employs 70% of the active population. With this potential, the DRC is capable of feeding approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide. Unfortunately, the country still relies on imports to cover its food deficit. In the 1960s, the agricultural sector was neglected in favor of mining activities, particularly copper. Furthermore, the country's political history has evolved unstably since it gained independence in 1960. Since 2012, however, there has been a slight increase in agricultural production (measured in thousands of tons) for crops such as cassava, maize, rice, and beans.
With a population estimated at over 100 million, the primary challenge for Congolese agriculture is to find ways to feed its rapidly growing population and provide an income for smallholder producers and cooperatives, all while protecting the environment. Medium-term prospects include consolidating national stability and security, improving governance and the business climate, accelerating socio-economic development, implementing structural reforms to support the private sector, and promoting the primary sector by improving food self-sufficiency to achieve poverty reduction.
OUR SUPPORT
Since 2015, we have been working with agricultural cooperatives and businesses operating in the coffee, rice, and maize value chains, as well as with products like fruits, juices, and beans that need to grow within the local Congolese market. Our goal is to strengthen value chains and develop the local consumer market.
To ensure our approach aligns with market needs, we conduct research on consumer attitudes as well as the challenges faced by cooperatives and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.
