Congolese agricultural potential remains under-exploited, despite the undeniable advantages that exist.

The agricultural sector is very underdeveloped. Its contribution to GDP fell from an average of 5% in the in the 2010-2016 period to 7.8% in 2019 and 9.0% in 2020. Over the same period, the agricultural sector value added fell in real terms from CFAF 318.58 billion in 2017 to CFAF 317.6 billion and CFAF 298.54 billion in 2019 and 2020. The corresponding growth rates are -1.0%, 0.7% and -6.0% respectively in 2018, 2019 and 2020, i.e. an average annual growth rate of -2,14%. National food production is increasing, but without covering the population's ever-growing needs. needs, forcing the country to resort to imports to the tune of CFAF 700 billion on average per year in recent years. FCFA in recent years.

Strengths and potential

The Republic of Congo's agricultural sector benefits from a number of advantages, including the following:

• the country's position straddling the equator and its varied plant life mean that it can grow crops all year round. crops throughout the year. For example, the country has 21 species of mango, 6 of mandarin and 4 of orange;
• The country has over 10 million hectares of arable land, of which less than 10% is developed;
• The Congo is one of the wettest countries on the African continent, with annual rainfall of between 1,200 and 2,000 mm;
• a vast hydrographic network organised around two main basins: the Congo River basin in the north and the Kouilou-Niari basin in the south-west;
• A 170 km coastline on the Atlantic Ocean;
• Potential for marine catches: over 80,000 tonnes per year ;
• Potential for inland fishing catches: around 100,000 tonnes per year
• abundant natural pastures suitable for livestock farming ;
• an urban market with high demand that is solvent as a result of urbanisation, plus export opportunities for both the sub-regional and international markets;
• a largely liberalised and fiscally favourable framework, and an affirmed commitment by the government to exemption from customs duties and taxes on imports of agricultural machinery and equipment.

Investment opportunities

A number of programmes, projects and project ideas have been identified as part of the 2022-2026 NDP. Among others, the following sectors and projects represent real investment opportunities:

N°	Sector to be developed/projects	Amount entered in the State budget					Total cost
		2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Development of plant-based industries
1	Cassava project	303	697	727	697	606	3 030
2	Banana project	303	697	727	697	606	3 030
3	Soya project	605	1 391	1 452	1 391	1 210	6 049
4	Potato project	524	1 204	1 256	1 204	1 047	5 235
5	Cocoa project	1 051	2 418	2 523	2 418	2 102	10 512
6	Oil palm project	500	1 150	1 200	1 150	1 000	5 000
7	Hevea project	500	1 150	1 200	1 150	1 000	5 000
8	Cashew project	500	1 150	1 200	1 150	1 000	5 000
9	Coffee project	500	1 150	1 200	1 150	1 000	5 000
10	Market gardening project	303	697	727	697	606	3 030
11	Project to set up a support fund for income-generating activities	1 000	2 300	2 400	2 300	2 000	10 000
Developing livestock sectors
12	Developing the beef industry	3 294	7 576	7 905	7 576	6 588	32 938
13	Developing the small ruminant sector	4 393	10 103	10 542	10 103	8 785	43 926
14	Developing the poultry industry	1 570	3 611	3 768	3 611	3 140	15 700
Development of fishing and aquaculture industries
15	Project to promote fish farming in floating cages	125	288	300	288	250	1 250
16	Installation of aquaculture zones project	378	869	907	869	756	3 780
17	Construction of the Yoro fishing port	100	230	240	230	200	1 000
Promoting the marketing, processing and preservation of agricultural products
18	Development of wholesale markets/wholesale platform with logistical storage and conservation infrastructures (BZV and PN)	656	1 509	1 574	1 509	1 312	6 560
19	Building two (02) high-performance quality control, analysis, test and trial laboratories equipped and accredited (ISO 17025) and improving skills (BZV and PN)	787	1 811	1 889	1 811	1 574	7 872
Development of agro-forestry plantations
20	Project to establish community plantations of forest species for wood energy purposes	50	115	120	115	100	500