Mbanza kongo: The drought that began in December last year in the municipality of Mbanza Kongo, in the province of Zaire, poses a threat to 8,000 hectares of agricultural fields prepared for the 2025/2026 season. The prolonged absence of rain is causing damage to crops of peanuts, beans, corn, cowpeas, and other products in the region.

According to Angola Press News Agency, Ant³nio Quinta Orlando, the head of the Institute for Agricultural Development (IDA)'s department, emphasized the severity of the situation. Orlando predicts a shortage of agricultural products, mainly grains, in the coming months if regular rainfall does not resume. He highlighted that an abundant rainy season usually forecasts a good harvest, but the current drought is causing significant concern among local farmers.

The IDA official stated that the agricultural sector in Mbanza Kongo aims to harvest 2.3 million tons of various products for the current agricultural campaign, which is an increase of 64 million tons compared to the previous season. However, the seeds sown in October and November of 2025 were less affected due to regular rainfall during that period. The drought has had a more substantial impact on peanut, corn, and bean crops planted later in November and early December 2025.

Despite the challenges, cassava and sweet potato crops are showing resilience, providing some hope for the farmers. Mbanza Kongo is an agricultural municipality where cassava, peanuts, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sesame, bananas, citrus fruits, and sugarcane are commonly cultivated.