CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF* (6 June)
Rains this season have been normal to above normal over much of the country. This is expected to result in favourable harvest of the secondary season crops such as maize and rice in southern provinces of Katanga, Kasai Oriental, and Bandundu. Relative improvement in the security situation since 2004 and assistance provided to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returning refugees has had some positive impact on agricultural activities in the affected areas. However, recent clashes and violent attacks in the eastern part of the country continue to displace large numbers of people, adding to the existing 3 million IDPs. Insecurity for producers and traders (who are forced to pay illegal levies on their farm produce), shortages of basic inputs (such as improved planting materials, hand tools, fishing equipment and veterinary supplies) and the decrepit rural infrastructure (notably feeder roads) are the main constraints to food production and distribution. Furthermore, staple crops, namely, cassava and banana, have been severely damaged by pests and diseases this season.
Food insecurity affects over 70 percent of the total population of 57 million in DRC. Hence, the Government and the donor community, at the Round Table conference held in March 2004, confirmed agriculture sector rehabilitation as the cornerstone of their strategy for poverty reduction. The focus will be on two main components, addressing emergency needs on one hand and achieving the medium to long term rehabilitation on the other. Under the Minimum Partnership Program for Transition and Recovery, the donor community has pledged US$ 6.86 billion over the next 4 years, of which US$ 285 million are intended for agriculture. The country has also received US$ 39 million from the IMF under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility.