Kenya, DR Congo sign agricultural cooperation deal

As DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi signed a treaty to formally join the East African Community bloc in Nairobi last Friday, he also oversaw the signing of a bilateral agreement with Kenya, which will see the two countries cooperate to improve food security and trade in agriculture.

The bilateral agreement on cooperation in agriculture was signed by DRC’s ministers Mzinga Birihanze Desire (Agriculture) and Bokele Djema Adrien (Fisheries and Livestock), and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Raychelle Omamo, on behalf of her Agriculture counterpart Peter Munya.

In the agreement, the two states agreed to cooperate to boost agricultural productivity and food security, including through “mutually beneficial trade,” research and education.

“The objectives of the agreement include promoting increased agricultural productivity in Kenya and DR Congo, encouraging joint investment ventures between respective private entrepreneurs as well as boosting mutually beneficial trade between the two countries,” State House Kenya said in a statement.

Being a net importer of agricultural products, DRC will provide a ready market for Kenya’s food products, which are its main exports, accounting for about 33 percent of the country’s GDP.

State House Kenya said the agreement will cover the areas of “crop development and promotion, agricultural and livestock research, animal health and production.”

 Source: www.theeastafrican.co.ke