Africa economy
Congo-Brazzaville: Sangha cocoa farmers want to transform their production locally
Audio 02:08
Convinced that the sale of raw beans does not bring added value, the producers seek the support of the authorities for local processing of their production.
© Getty Images/Contributor
By: Loicia Martial
2 mins
The Sangha, one of the twelve Departments of the Congo which takes its name from a river, bordering Cameroon and the Central African Republic, is recognized as the first economic region of North Congo, in particular because of the production of cocoa.
Convinced that the sale of raw beans does not bring added value, the producers seek the support of the authorities for local processing of their production.
The Small Business Support Fund seems to respond favorably.
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From our correspondent in Brazzaville,
Rains have ceased in most parts of Congo.
But, it is still raining in the Sangha.
It's a good season for René Maboundou, a 48-year-old farmer, who has just planted cocoa on three hectares.
“
At the moment, we are in a planting phase.
When we are at a harvest phase, there will be the sale of beans and we must organize ourselves to also process on site.
Cocoa brings jobs and finances because it is widely consumed.
The demand is very strong
,” explains Mr. Maboundou.
René Maboundou is at the head of the agro-unitary cooperative created four years ago;
which also produces maize and bananas.
But, this farmer has more ambitions for cocoa.
“
We have to manage to transform and consume Congolese.
After production, I think we can process on the spot since, in the town of Ouesso, there are many producers.
We would like to change the situation: for the finished product to also come out of the Congo.
It is our ambition which is not at all disproportionate.
It all starts with the dream.
Who does not dream, does not have.
We start with the dream and then we are supported by the state
,” he said.
Figa's help
Precisely, the State, through the Business Impulse, Guarantee and Support Fund (Figa), has just helped around fifty young entrepreneurs from the Sangha to develop agro-pastoral projects;
so-called “bankable” projects.
Director General of Figa, Armel Fridelin Mbouloukoué, makes them a big promise.
“
Already, we are emphasizing cocoa in the Sangha which is its first granary.
Le Figa will help them obtain loans from banking and micro-finance institutions.
Because we put a lot of emphasis on processing so that we can reduce imports and create local jobs,
” he says.
In addition to seeking funding, Figa also intends to provide technical assistance.
“
Beyond the credits, there is the support of Figa.
We have the structures that will accompany them on the ground so that the activities take place normally
”, specifies Mr. Mbouloukoué.
While waiting for local cocoa processing units, the Sangha owes its reputation as the leading economic region in northern Congo to the timber industry.
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