Another source about Congo

Article: Causes of Food Insecurity in the DRC

Balamuange, B. (2025). Household food security in a post-conflict context in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Journal of Global Health Economics and Policy. https://doi.org/10.52872/001c.142951

1. Poverty and economic difficulties

Many households in the DRC have very low incomes, making it difficult for them to consistently purchase enough food. Poverty also limits farmers’ ability to buy seeds, fertilisers, and agricultural tools, which reduces agricultural productivity and food supply.

2. Low agricultural productivity

Although the DRC has fertile land, agriculture still mainly relies on traditional farming methods and lacks modern agricultural technology and machinery. As a result, crop yields are low and agricultural production is easily affected by weather and environmental conditions.

3. Weak transportation and market systems

Many rural areas have poor transportation infrastructure, making it difficult to transport agricultural products to urban markets. These transportation difficulties reduce the circulation of food between regions and may lead to food shortages in certain areas.

4. Rising food prices

Economic instability and market fluctuations can cause food prices to increase. When food prices rise, low-income households often cannot afford basic food, which increases the risk of food insecurity.