CONSUMPTION OF RICE IN BUKAVU

Rice, long considered a staple food in Asian countries, has become one of the most demanded commodities by African households. More than production, the demand for rice in African countries is increasing dramatically. This demand is growing in East Africa at a rate of 6% per year, more than population growth and faster than anywhere else in the world; while domestic production covers only about 60% of population demand.In the 1984 agricultural revival plan, rice was chosen as the basic food crop in the DRC. For long periods of time, the DRC was able to satisfy a large part of its population with locally produced rice. Currently, production is only decreasing while demand, especially in the cities, is increasing. In order to meet this ever-increasing demand, economic operators are supplying the cities and the interior with rice imports.