Democratic Republic of Congo: Roundtable on Agriculture in Katanga, Lubumbashi

Having received a briefing on the conclusions and recommendations of the National Round-Table on Agriculture, organized by the national Thematic Group on Rural Development and Food Security (link to the previous article on Round –Table) in March 2004, the authorities of Katanga Province have expressed the need to adopt a coherent strategy for agricultural development, as one of the pillars in the post-conflict fight against poverty. This initiative, which had received favourable feedback on behalf of the Belgian cooperation for the financing of a roundtable on agriculture of the province in question, was a part of the Thematic Group, related to its preparation in line with other national on-going planning initiatives in the country ( i. e. preparation of the Document of Strategy for the Reduction of Poverty (DSRP), Review of the Agriculture Sector and institutional reforms affecting public administration and Ministry of Agriculture).

With a surface of 496.877 Km², Katanga province is one of the eleven provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and it covers 21% of national territory. Totally situated on the southern hemisphere between 5° and 14° of width South et 24° and 30° of length East, this province is the second largest after the Oriental province. Mineral resources constitute one of the main resources of the province, together with «Gécamines» (General Mine Career) which counted for 35% of national budget in 1990.

Poor management that had been hampering national economy for decades, together with socio-economic instability that has marked the 1990's, have caused considerable impoverishment of the population of Katanga . Nevertheless, the province has considerable potential for agricultural development, which is today the most pertinent alternative for sustainable development.

• creating conditions in favour of private sector investments
• initiating efficient agricultural policy
• adopting national policies and legislations for agriculture, fisheries and cattle-breeding.

To read the «Declaration of the Provincial Round-Table on Agriculture and Food Security in Katanga» (in French) click here.

To read the Final Report of the Round-Table (in French) click here.