Chad currently ranks as the second-largest cotton producer in Central Africa, trailing only behind Cameroon. Yet despite this position, the country’s cotton industry has faced persistent instability, with fluctuating output that has struggled to maintain steady growth. In response, N’Djamena has taken decisive action to breathe new life into the sector.

On May 13, Chad’s Ministry of Production and Agricultural Industrialization officially launched the Projet de Développement agricole et territorial du bassin cotonnier du Tchad (DEBACO). With a total budget of 19.35 million EUR—equivalent to 22.5 million USD—the five-year initiative is fully funded by France’s Agence française de développement (AFD). The program represents a strategic shift in French cooperation, placing greater emphasis on integrated rural development while prioritizing the cotton sector.

Though DEBACO’s primary focus is on cotton, the project also extends support to key food crops that bolster food security, including sorghum, maize, cowpeas, and groundnuts. According to the French Embassy in N’Djamena, the initiative aims to enhance land-use planning, demarcate and secure livestock corridors, prevent conflicts, and establish local dialogue frameworks to bring together all stakeholders.

The interventions will be concentrated in two key provinces: Mayo-Kebbi Ouest and Moyen-Chari, regions that together account for nearly a quarter of Chad’s annual cotton production, as confirmed by data from the USDA.

Tackling a decade of instability

The French support arrives at a critical juncture, as Chad’s cotton industry has experienced erratic production trends in recent years. Data from the Programme régional de production intégrée du coton en Afrique (PR-PICA) highlights the sector’s volatility. While output rose by 9% in the 2023-2024 season, reaching 111,262 tonnes, the following year saw a dramatic decline to just 57,774 tonnes—a near 50% drop. However, PR-PICA forecasts a recovery in the 2025-2026 season, with an estimated production of 75,000 tonnes, representing a 29.8% increase.

Can DEBACO reverse the downward trend?

As the five-year program gets underway, the question remains: will DEBACO’s targeted interventions be enough to stabilize and revitalize Chad’s cotton sector in the long term? The success of this initiative could determine whether the country’s farmers regain confidence in one of their most vital economic pillars.