Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e

The Republic of CHAD is a landlocked country in the Sahel region of Africa. The country
is divided into three regions: desert (the Sahara) in the north, occupying 40% of the total
area; plains in the central part, used mainly for grazing; and fertile lands in the south that
are more tropical and in which most of the population lives. Agriculture is a dominant force
in the economy at 38% of GDP in 1998, with 85% of the population engaged in agricultural
activities. Arable land, however, is only 3% of the total.
General information
• GNI per capita PPP$, 2000: 870
• Internal renewable water resources: 15 km 3
• Incoming water flow: 28 km 3
• Main food consumed: millet and sorghum,
roots and tubers, nuts, oil and fat, sugar and
honey
• Rice consumption, 1999: 10.6 kg milled rice
per person per year
Production constraints
National rice yields during 1995-2000 were
among the world’s lowest. The following are the
major constraints to sustainable rice production
in Chad:
• Low temperature during the off-season in
irrigated areas
• Recurrent drought and flood in rainfed
lowland areas
• Lack of input supplies: improved seeds,
fertilizer, and credit
• Lack of small farm equipment, especially
for postharvest operations
• Lack of effective farmer organizations and
cooperatives
• Poor maintenance of irrigation facilities
• Poor road networks and marketing systems
• Weak research and extension support
Production season
Planting Harvesting
Main season Jun-Jul Oct-Dec
Off-season Jan-Feb May-Jun
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