DRC maize shortage: country looks to neighbouring countries to try to resolve crisis

Vital Kamerhe in front of the press, yesterday, Monday, May 15. The Deputy Prime Minister of the DRC assumed the import to fill the maize deficit. © Pascal Mulegwa / RFI

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2 min

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the south-east and centre are shaken by a crisis of shortage of maize, a staple food in the region. The government has turned to its neighbours to try to resolve the crisis amid market competition and poor harvests in East Africa. Measures with an impact on taxation have been taken for a short-term solution, but the problem remains in a country with millions of hectares of particularly fertile arable land.

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With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Pascal Mulegwa

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It is not shame for the DRC to import to save the population of Grand-Kasai and Grand-Katanga, it is the responsibility ", assumes in front of the press, Vital Kamerhe, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the National Economy. For this joint press conference alongside the government spokesman, Mr. Kamerhe, an ally of President Felix Tshisekedi, spoke for the first time to the press since he joined the government.

Choice assumed

The deputy prime minister has taken on import to make up the shortfall, responding to criticism after several ministers toured Zambia and South Africa in search of suppliers of maize flour, which is essential for the designated areas. Consumption needs are estimated at one million tons per year but local operators produce only a quarter, according to official figures.

The deficit has been filled for years by imports from Zambia, whose production was highly coveted by other countries. "It is there," he said, "that we will discover that war was on our doorstep. (...) The Zambians give us the explanation that Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Malawi bought all the cargo that was destined for the DRC." The country has negotiated thousands of tonnes in South Africa, but is relying on new internal agricultural policies to be self-sufficient.

Incite

The Congolese authorities have undertaken, inter alia, to waive all duties, taxes and fees on maize imports for a period of six months in order to encourage local importers to increase their volume. Same decision on parafiscal import of agricultural inputs and machinery to reduce production costs and support local production.

► Read also: DRC: in Goma, prices soar and the risk of food shortage worry the inhabitants

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Read on on the same topics:

  • DRC
  • Feeding
  • Félix Tshisekedi
  • Trade and Commerce
  • Raw materials
  • Agriculture and Fisheries