The World Bank-led Poultry and Aquaculture Development Project (PADeP) in the Republic of Congo made significant progress with a pre-appraisal mission held in Brazzaville from January 13 to 19, 2025.
The mission, led by Zoumana Bamba, the Central Africa Hub Director of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and Dr. Christopher Suh, the Regional Coordinator for Central Africa at Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), met with the World Bank and key stakeholders to assess challenges and outline solutions to enhance the poultry and aquaculture sectors.
The primary objective was to conduct a preliminary project assessment and develop a draft Project Appraisal Report. This involved analyzing the target sectors, defining roles and responsibilities, designing the institutional structure, and creating investment models and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems. Additionally, the team evaluated environmental and social safeguards and established a roadmap for the project’s final preparation.
The project comprises five components with a total budget of $105 million, funded by the International Development Association (IDA) and other contributors. The components include:
- Strengthening the Agribusiness Ecosystem for Aquaculture and Poultry ($40 million) – focuses on regulatory reforms, capacity building, infrastructure investments, and improving financial access.
- Enhancing Access to High-Quality and Affordable Inputs ($20 million) – aims to boost domestic feed production, fingerlings, and day-old chicks to reduce import dependency.
- Support to Production and Marketing ($40 million) – promotes sustainable production, market linkages, and climate-smart practices while creating job opportunities for women and youth.
- Contingency Emergency Response – provides mechanisms for emergency financing due to natural disasters or crises.
- Project Management ($5 million) – strengthens project management and M&E capacities.
The mission convened a diverse group of stakeholders to address critical issues and design solutions for sustainable growth. Participants included government officials, representatives from the private sector (such as AGRO4, SAKO, SGMP, AQUACONGO), leading poultry companies specializing in Lohman Brown, Ross, and Sasso breeds, as well as NGOs and farmers.
Key findings from the mission highlighted a lack of technological advancement within the sector, primarily due to limited financial resources and a shortage of quality inputs, such as high-quality seeds and fertilizers. Other challenges included inadequate distribution networks, limited market accessibility, weak policy environments, and reliance on imported seeds of inconsistent quality due to an unstructured seed system.
To address these challenges, the team proposed expanding financial support mechanisms and improving access to essential inputs. They also recommended developing robust infrastructure to streamline market linkages and facilitate the flow of goods. Strengthening policy frameworks to create a more conducive environment for growth and development was emphasized, along with enhancing the technical and managerial skills of farmers and institutions to ensure long-term sustainability.
This mission laid a solid foundation for future collaboration between IITA, TAAT, and the World Bank regarding IITA’s role in PADeP. As the project moves toward implementation, the partnerships and strategies developed during this mission will be critical in transforming the poultry and aquaculture sectors in the Republic of Congo.
With a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, PADeP aims to create significant opportunities for farmers, enhance food security, and drive economic growth.
