FSRDC at the Governors' Conference in Bandundu: Agriculture at the Heart of National Priorities

FSRDC at the Governors' Conference in Bandundu: Agriculture at the Heart of National Priorities

Bandundu (Kwilu), March 24-27, 2026

The Social Fund of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FSRDC) made its mark at the 13th Governors' Conference of the Provinces, held from March 24 to 27, 2026 in Bandundu, Kwilu province. Under the strategic theme "Transformation of the agricultural, pastoral and fisheries sector: rural development and connection to urban markets", this gathering brought together the highest provincial and national authorities around the country's development challenges.

PTA-DRC Presented by FSRDC

At the heart of the discussions, Patrice Bakembe, FSRDC mission leader, presented the Agricultural Transformation Program (PTA-DRC), a true lever for agricultural transformation, through its two flagship projects:

• PADCV-PTA (Value Chain Development Support Project)
• PAGDC-PTA (Governance and Value Chain Development Support Project)

These two projects, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), aim to:

• modernize agricultural production
• strengthen value chains
• professionalize agricultural trades
• massively train youth

A Central Role in the Work

The FSRDC also actively contributed to the proceedings by joining the Agriculture Commission, proof of its central role in the sector's transformation. This participation helped convey the voice of ongoing projects and share the initial successes observed in the field.

Strong Recommendations for the Future

Following the discussions, several recommendations emerged to accelerate the country's agricultural transformation:

Before the President of the Republic

In the presence of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the Governors unanimously emphasized three major priorities:

• Security challenges affecting certain areas
• The urgency of modernizing agriculture to meet population needs
• The need to connect rural areas to urban markets

The Head of State's Closing Message

In his closing speech, President Tshisekedi called for more virtuous provincial management based on:

• ️ more transparency
• ️ more innovation
• ️ more accountability

The ultimate goal is clear: reduce food dependency and make agriculture an engine of sustainable development for the entire country.

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