AGRICULTURAL MARKETING DEVELOPMENT, KWILU SUB-REGION

The Societe Financiere de Developpement (SOFIDE), Office National des Transports (ONATRA), and Office des Routes (OR) will implement the project"s three components. Four ports in the project area will be upgraded. A floating dock with ramp will be moored at Panu. (If a permanent facility is warranted later, this dock will be used elsewhere.) A steep ramp at Dibaya-Lubwe will be extended, lessening the grade and cutting loading time up to 50%. Improvements at Bulungu, a minor facility, will be limited to portable gangways for shore/barge access. These ports will be brought under ONATRA control and will have a permanent agent. At Mangai, already an ONATRA port, upgrading will be limited to provision of two fork lifts (complete with drum handling gear) for use in palletizing produce and drum movement. Radio communication between the four ports and ONATRA headquarters in Kinshasha will permit greater fleet utilization and eliminate unscheduled stops. USAID will furnish supplies and a naval technician to oversee renovation of 1,800 tons of deadlined barge capacity and will train ONATRA personnel in routine barge maintenance. OR will upgrade, to the class of "good" dirt road, 339 km of priority roads connecting Bulungu and Idiofa to ports and paved roads. Equipment and local materials will be procured to build 26 short span bridges totalling 220-300 m in order to open isolated areas in Idiofa. Repair brigades (50% of whose equipment is currently deadlined) will be given adequate fuel supplies and parts. Portable camp facilities and equipment will be provided for two expatriate construction teams. Mechanics experienced in equipment/warehouse operation will provide technical assistance. Finally, SOFIDE will use loan funds to purchase and distribute farm processing/production implements such as hoes, shovels, cassava graters, and other simple tools to area farmers. These inputs are expected to result in a 20-40,000 metric ton increase in priority crops.