Kisangani, May 26th, 2025 ( CPA) – The Belgian agency for international cooperation (ENABEL) has set up an agricultural support programme in two territories in the province of Tshopo, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, notably in the territories of Opala and Isangi, CPA has learnt on Monday from an administrative source.
« In Opala, we are going to work on the downstream rice unit and processing sector, the construction of a wharf (…) a metal whaleboat that will be managed by local organisations. At Isangi, we are initiating a new method of agro-pastoral experimental field schools, to disseminate to farmers and local development agents modernisation and extension techniques that improve animal and agricultural production« , has said Jean Leroy, from the Belgian Ministry in charge of agriculture at ENABEL.
According to a specialist in the field, agricultural policy means development based on the largest possible number of households. « We want to achieve national development based on farm households. If each of them is self-sufficient, the nation will be self-sufficient. There is not only food security, but also nutritional security« , has reassured Prof Victor Mobula, coordinating director of the strategic analysis and knowledge management system at the General Secretariat of the Ministry in charge of Agriculture.
The current agricultural policy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is in the process of being rolled out, is being supported by the Kingdom of Belgium through its international cooperation agency (ENABEL). This agency is supporting DRC in the implementation of its sustainable agricultural policy through actions and operational interventions in five (5) provinces, namely Tshopo, Sud-Ubangi, Kasaï Oriental, Haut-Lomami and Sud-Kivu, suspended for the time being because of the war.