Chad: Chad Agriculture Profile

Late and inadequate seasonal rains affect prospects for current crops and pastures

Erratic and insufficient rainfall since the beginning of the rainy season in May/June over most parts of the country have delayed plantings and affected growing crops and pastures. Satellite imagery analysis indicates negative Vegetation Anomaly in several areas of the country, mostly in the western part of the Sahelian zone which is predominantly pastoral. The Vegetation Index is estimated to be 40 to 60 % below average (see map) in the Lac and Kanem regions. Low Vegetation Index is as well estimated for several areas of the Sudanian zone which includes the majority significant crop producing regions of the country. Due to the before drier conditions, adequate rainfall in August will be critical for regeneration and development of crops and pastures.

Last year’s accumulation cereal production, estimated at some 2.6 million tonnes, was 15 % above average but 17 % lower than the previous year’s bumper crop.

High cereal prices persist in major urban markets

Prices of millet and sorghum, the major staple crops, remained stable or declined in most markets over the completed few months. In spite of these general price patterns, sorghum and millet prices in Abeche in June 2014 were still 55 % and 11 %, respectively, above last year’s levels. In N’Djamena, millet prices in June were 8 % above their levels a year ago. Increased influx of refugees and returnees due to insecurity in Chad’s neighbouring nations, have affected commodity movement and put additional pressure on the domestic market.

Continued assistance is still needed for vulnerable people

Chad hosts a large number of refugees, due to the continuing civil conflict in the neighbouring nations of the Central African Republic, Libya, Nigeria and the Sudan. The influx of refugees increased dramatically over the completed few months following the deterioration of the security situation in the Central African Republic. Over 110 000 people are estimated to have left the Central African Republic for Chad between December 2013 and June 2014. As of June 2014, additional than 461 000 refugees were living in Chad, while about 340 000 Chadians have returned to their country. The refugee crisis has exacerbated an by presently fragile food situation. Chad has been struck by successive severe food crises in recent years that have had very adverse, longer-term impact on household assets and savings. As a result of these various factors, about 811 570 people are estimated to be in Phase 3 (Crisis) and above during the lean season from June-August, according to the last Cadre Harmonisé analysis conducted in the country. An additional 3.1 million people are estimated to be in Phase 2: at risk of food insecurity.

The United Nations and humanitarian partners recently launched a three-year Regional Strategic Response Plan (RSRP) to provide aid to millions of people in nine nations of the Sahel belt. The country plan for Chad is seeking to mobilize USD 527 million to provide food and non-food assistance to nearly 4 million people across the country.