Chad is facing a critical cereal deficit, threatening its food security. On October 6, 2026, the Union of Chadian Journalists (UJT) and the Hirondelle Foundation organized a conference-debate to raise awareness and propose sustainable solutions. Experts painted a grim picture of the country's agricultural situation, highlighting the need for concrete actions to avert a crisis. The conference focused on "Cereal deficit: sustainable solutions to prevent food insecurity?"
Expert Nassingar Rimtebaye described the situation as critical, with many fields dried up due to lack of rainfall. He attributed the crisis to deeper structural causes, including desertification and climate change, rather than just a simple rainfall deficit. Rimtebaye emphasized that the absence of coherent agricultural policies exacerbates the problem. He suggested that the government could subsidize improved seeds and fertilizers, which are available but not accessible to farmers.
Mapouki Manemon, a technical agricultural expert, echoed Rimtebaye's concerns, citing prolonged droughts and dry spells in August that affected crops. He identified limited access to inputs, credit, and modern farming techniques as major challenges. Manemon stressed that Chad's agricultural sector remains traditional and subsistence-based, hindering its ability to adapt to climate change. He recalled previous initiatives to address these issues, which have not led to concrete actions.
Journalist Marietna Emmanuel called for a general mobilization to address the crisis. She described the devastating effects of past droughts and emphasized the need for urgent action. Emmanuel proposed promoting off-season farming as a solution to mitigate the impact of rainfall deficits. She stressed that Chad has the knowledge, structures, and solutions to prevent a food crisis but lacks effective implementation.
The experts' warnings are based on observed changes in the country's climate and agricultural patterns. Manemon noted that since 2019, he has been monitoring the effects of climate change on production systems in the Lake Chad basin. The conference highlighted the need for a coordinated response from all stakeholders, including the government, farmers, herders, traders, and international partners.
The cereal deficit is not only a production issue but also a problem of access to inputs and credit. Experts argue that the government and international partners must work together to provide support to farmers and herders. This includes subsidizing seeds, fertilizers, and equipment, as well as promoting modern farming techniques.
The conference concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to take responsibility and work together to prevent a food crisis in Chad. Experts emphasized that the country has the potential to address its agricultural challenges but requires a concerted effort to implement sustainable solutions.
Key points
- Chad's cereal deficit is attributed to deeper structural causes, including desertification and climate change.
- Experts propose promoting off-season farming and subsidizing seeds, fertilizers, and equipment to mitigate the crisis.
- The government and international partners must work together to provide support to farmers and herders to prevent a food crisis.
