Chad government launches strategy to secure agriculture against climate change

Minister of Production and Agricultural Industrialization Keda Ballah outlined a large scale strategy to protect Chadian agriculture from recurring climate shocks and supply difficulties.

The government aims to support producers, modernize infrastructure, and ensure food sovereignty through cooperation with technical and financial partners. To address heatwaves and potential shortages, the government initiated emergency measures to supply seeds and fertilizers.

Six tonnes of sorghum and maize seeds are currently available near N'Djamena, while 5,000 tonnes were ordered through the ProGreSsan Project for market gardening. Additionally, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) provided 15 tonnes of seeds for various provinces. The government also secured 380 tonnes of NPK and urea fertilizers for ProAgri project zones, with a further 10 tonnes ordered via the World Bank. The government is also investing in infrastructure and professional training.

It is delivering 1,000 power tillers with spare parts, 3,000 market gardening kits, and 100 motorcycles to improve mobility. To professionalize the sector, the ministry will deploy 300 technical agents trained at the Baili, Laï, and Doyaba university institutes into villages and subprefectures. These workers will be joined by 111 former agents from the National Agency for Agricultural Development (ANADER). A major industrial project involves the German company Afgone, which plans to build a fertilizer factory in Chad.

The facility aims to produce organo-mineral fertilizers starting in April, with a long term goal of 176,000 tonnes per year. To reduce dependence on rainfall, the ministry plans to develop hydro-agricultural developments and solar-powered boreholes across the country.