Kenya, DRC Bilateral Cooperation In The Agriculture Sector

Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Thursday had a meeting to discuss areas of collaboration in the agricultural sector, ahead of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday at State House Nairobi.

Present at the meeting was the Ministry of Agriculture CAS Anne Nyaga who led a Kenyan delegation. Also present were the government officials from the Democratic Republic of Congo led by Prof. Serge Tshibangu, the Kenyan Ambassador to the DRC, George Masafu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo Christophe Lundula.

Others include the special envoy to the President of the DRC, Prof Serge Tshibangu, Minister of Agriculture Desire M’zinga Burihanze, the DRC Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, and the DRC Minister for Regional Integration.

According to CAS Anne Nyagah, the signing of the bilateral agreement will greatly benefit local farmers. This comes as farmers in the country brace for tough economic and climatic conditions which have affected the viability of agribusiness.

With the Ministry of Agriculture seeking to continually find new markets for local farmers, the DRC presents a new and unique opportunity, as a nation trying to rebuild following its first successful peaceful transfer of power since independence in 2019.

As the planting season is underway, erratic rainfall and the high cost of fertilizers have been the major concern that might affect the food security of Kenya.

The agricultural sector is the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing approximately 33 percent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The agriculture sector employs more than 40 percent of the total population and 70 percent of the rural population.

Despite progress towards achieving food security for all Kenyans, the country’s value-added has been declining due to weather-related shocks, the prevalence of pests/disease, and dwindling knowledge delivery systems such as the lack of extension services on the adoption of modern technology.

The sector accounts for 65 percent of the export earnings, provides the livelihood (employment, income, and food security needs) for more than 80 percent of the Kenyan population, and contributes to improving nutrition through the production of safe, diverse, and nutrient-dense foods.

The sector is also the main driver of the non-agricultural economy including manufacturing, providing inputs and markets for non-agricultural operations such as building/construction, transportation, tourism, education, and other social services.