Description of the subject. This review critically analyses the debates between conventional and organic agriculture in Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighting key points of divergence and potential pathways towards sustainable production. Rapid population growth, environmental degradation, and persistent food security challenges increasingly strain dominant agricultural systems.

Literature. Agriculture directly affects the conservation or depletion of natural resources, which are essential production factors, and their deterioration threatens future productivity and ecosystem resilience. Conventional agriculture, relying heavily on synthetic fertilisers, chemical pesticides, concentrated animal feeds, and intensive veterinary interventions, has been widely adopted to maximise short-term yields. However, evidence demonstrates its negative impacts on soil fertility, water quality, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem health. By contrast, organic and alternative systems, which minimise or exclude synthetic inputs, offer potential for ecological balance and sustainable resource management. Yet, empirical data from African contexts, particularly in the DR Congo, remain limited, making it difficult to evaluate whether organic approaches can achieve comparable yields without resorting to Green Revolution-style interventions.

Conclusion. The review consolidates existing literature and identifies knowledge gaps, providing an evidence-based foundation for assessing both systems. It emphasises the importance of locally adapted, resource-conserving practices that integrate ecological, social, and economic considerations, aiming to reconcile productivity with environmental sustainability in Democratic Republic of the Congo and similar agroecological regions.