Although the Democratic Republic of Congo has long been known for its abundance of natural resources, especially its mineral riches, little attention has been given to the country’s vast, but untapped, agricultural potential. If this potential is unleashed, the DRC could significantly reduce poverty, hunger, and malnutrition throughout the country, and also become a long-term supplier of food for many other parts of Africa.

As part of “Agriculture Week in the DRC,” and in the context of the global food crisis, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the International Food Policy Research Institute brought together Congolese policymakers and experts with international researchers for a workshop on how to promote rapid agricultural growth, revive the country’s rural economy, and achieve food and nutrition security.