USAID’s new Public-private Partnership, Focused on rice Production

By: James F. Entwistle | Delivered: November 17, 2011, Cercle Bralima

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country of incredible beauty and natural wealth. Blessed with a favorable climate and rich soil, it has the potential to be an agricultural giant – capable of producing enough to satisfy domestic demand and export, too.  

Yet, the reality is markedly different. Today, the DRC suffers from food insecurity, because while agricultural production has remained stagnant for many years, the population continues to grow.  So despite boasting incredible natural resources, the DRC cannot meet its own demand and is forced to import food from the international market, often at steep prices.

This reality – of a rising population, low domestic production and high import rates - is being felt by communities across the country, including here in Kinshasa. In fact, you were just introduced to one such affected township: Kingabwa. This community, located only twenty minutes from where we stand today, is home to about 500,000 residents and located alongside Pool Malebo, a 6000 hectare wetland, ideally suited for the production of rice. But like so much of Congo’s agricultural sector, the area is not being used to its full potential. Currently, only 20% of the land is under cultivation. Production is further hampered by insufficient irrigation, drainage and access roads. The average farmer here makes less than $20 per month – barely sufficient to provide for one’s families, let alone reinvest in improving one’s infrastructure or production capacity. 

The project we’re launching today is, therefore, of vital importance, both as an example of what is possible and as a mechanism to improve the quality of life in one of our local communities. Over the course of the next three years, a public-private partnership among USAID, BATIDE, and BRALIMA will make land use improvements and train local farmers and producers’ associations with the hope of dramatically increasing local rice yields.  And that in turn will mean increased economic activity, development, and improved livelihoods.

I am proud to say that this project is the fruit of a true partnership, because each of the organizations involved brings something unique, and important, to its success. Funding from USAID has already allowed for much-needed infrastructure developments, such as the construction of drainage canals and the rehabilitation of the main access roads.  BATIDE’s expert knowledge of local farming culture makes them ideally suited to work with Kingabwa producers to expand local capacity and to improve crops. And finally, there is BRALIMA.  As one of the leading agro-producers in Kinshasa, Bralima can guarantee a market and competitive price for high quality rice, suitable for food, and for low quality rice, used in production. Thus, by using a partnership to address three key uncertainties - infrastructure, local capacity and price - this project is allowing farmers to focus on what is most important: producing rice for a market that will benefit their families, their community, and the nation as a whole.

I focus on the partnership among USAID, BATIDE, and BRALIMA, because our work there is just one part of the larger partnership between the United States and the Congo.  In a myriad of ways, we work together to break down barriers to development and enable the Congolese people to take full advantage of the incredible opportunities that their country has to offer. Change can start here, with Kingabwa township and Pool Malebo.  But we believe that as a model, this project promises much more. If governments, NGOs, farmers and businessmen can work together to guarantee markets for rice in Kingabwa, why not expand this model to support markets for other major agricultural commodities such as cassava, maize and legumes? Through partnerships, such as the one we are here to celebrate today, this country can realize its agricultural potential.

The United States is proud to stand with you all as you pursue this goal.

Thank you.