The round table was organized by the Belgian Development Cooperation Agency (ENABEL). A large audience of various stakeholders (Ministries, local authorities, growers and technicians) took part to the event and discussed the future prospects of the palm oil sector in DRC.

The director of ERAIFT and rector of IFA-Yangambi, Professor Baudouin Michel, participated to an expert panel focusing on the environmental challenges linked to the development of the palm oil sector in DRC. Palm oil is a favourable and promising activity for local producers, with a strong demand on the local market and exponential positive trends on regional and international markets. But the fulfilment of the economic potential of the sector requires proper and increased management measures in order to maintain and protect ecological balances in the forest zones where plantations are grown.

In discussions with the Ministry of Environment (MEDD), WWF, ENABEL and civil society organizations, Professor Baudouin Michel stressed the key importance of integrating expectations and logics of local growers in the future strategies. He also stressed that potentially favourable regions for palm oil growing are various and multiple in DRC, and that support strategies had to be tailored and adapted to local specificities in order to be efficient in the long run.

ERAIFT and IFA-YANGAMBI extend their warm thanks to ENABEL for the invitation to take part to the round table.