By Malick Mahamat

Chad stands as the second-largest cotton producer in Central Africa, trailing only Cameroon. However, its production levels have fluctuated in recent years, struggling to achieve stability. In response, N’Djamena has initiated a bold new initiative to revitalize the sector.

On May 13, Chad’s Ministry of Production and Agricultural Industrialization launched the Projet de Développement agricole et territorial du bassin cotonnier du Tchad (DEBACO). With a total budget of €19.35 million ($22.5 million), this five-year program is fully funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).

According to the French Embassy in N’Djamena, DEBACO represents a strategic shift in France’s support for Chad’s cotton industry, adopting a more holistic approach to rural development. While the program prioritizes cotton, it also extends assistance to key food crops crucial for food security, including sorghum, maize, cowpeas, and groundnuts.

“DEBACO will enhance land-use planning, demarcate and secure transhumance corridors, prevent conflicts, and establish local dialogue frameworks among stakeholders,” the Ministry of Agricultural Production stated.

The program’s interventions will focus on two key provinces—Mayo-Kebbi Ouest and Moyen-Chari—which together account for nearly a quarter of Chad’s annual cotton output, based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

This French-backed support arrives at a critical juncture, as Chad’s cotton production has witnessed erratic trends in recent years. Data from the interprofessional sector, compiled by the Regional Integrated Cotton Production Program in Africa (PR-PICA), highlights the instability in local supply.

In the 2023-2024 season, cottonseed production surged by 9%, reaching 111,262 tons. However, the following season saw a sharp decline to 57,774 tons—a nearly 50% drop. For the 2025-2026 season, PR-PICA projects a modest recovery of 29.8%, with output estimated at 75,000 tons.

Whether DEBACO’s implementation can sustainably reshape the trajectory of Chad’s cotton industry over the coming years remains to be seen.