Chad ranks as the second-largest cotton producer in Central Africa, trailing only Cameroon. However, the sector has faced persistent instability, with fluctuating output and structural challenges threatening its viability. To counter this decline, the government in N’Djamena has initiated a five-year revival plan for the cotton value chain.

New French-backed initiative targets rural transformation

On May 13, Chad’s Ministry of Production and Industrialization launched the Development Project for Agricultural and Territorial Basins of Chad’s Cotton Belt (DEBACO). With a total budget of €19.35 million (equivalent to $22.5 million), the initiative is fully funded by the French Development Agency (AFD). This project represents a renewed commitment from Paris to revitalize Chad’s agricultural backbone, blending cotton production with broader rural development strategies.

While cotton remains the focal point, DEBACO integrates support for key food crops essential to national food security. The initiative will bolster production of staple foods such as sorghum, maize, cowpea, and groundnut, ensuring a balanced approach to agricultural growth.

Sustainable land use and conflict prevention at the core

The project outlines a multi-faceted strategy to address the sector’s vulnerabilities. Among its priorities are:

• Land-use planning to optimize agricultural productivity and reduce resource conflicts
• Securing transhumance corridors to minimize clashes between farmers and herders
• Conflict prevention mechanisms through structured dialogue among local stakeholders

Implementation will focus on Chad’s Mayo-Kebbi Ouest and Moyen-Chari regions, which together account for nearly a quarter of the country’s annual cotton harvest.

From volatility to recovery: a sector in transition

Chad’s cotton output has been highly erratic in recent years. Official data reveals a sharp decline in production after a brief surge. In the 2023-2024 season, cotton seed production peaked at 111,262 tons—a 9% increase from the previous year—only to plummet to 57,774 tons in 2024-2025, marking a near 50% drop. For the current 2025-2026 season, regional forecasts predict a modest rebound, with an estimated output of 75,000 tons, representing a 29.8% recovery.

Whether DEBACO can reverse these trends and restore long-term stability to Chad’s cotton industry remains to be seen. The project’s integrated approach, combining financial investment with rural governance reforms, offers a promising path forward for one of Central Africa’s most vital agricultural sectors.