Review of the agriculture sector, Republic of Chad

Current government policy aims to achieve food self-sufficiency with irrigation crop diversification geared to both domestic and foreign markets as well as the fuller utilization of livestock resources. This report assesses the status of the country"s agricultural sector and identifies constraints to and opportunities for its economic development. An initial chapter reviews the planned restructuring of the sector under the direction of the Ministry of Rural Development (MDR), with emphasis on the roles to be played therein the different MDR divisions, other government ministries, the donor community, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Chapter 2 focuses on agricultural production, development, and policy, covering, inter alia, production of key crops, types of production systems, technology transfer, and the linkages among agricultural research, development, and marketing, while Chapter 3 examines natural resource management, including natural resource status and trends, bioclimatic regions, rangeland and livestock systems, and soil, water, forest, and wildlife resources, along with natural resource policies. Chapter 4 outlines key constraints by sector and identifies opportunities for A.I.D. intervention. The report concludes that a real potential exists to increase the productivity of Chadian agriculture through crop diversification and improved marketing activities. The key to realizing this potential lies in the transfer of responsibility from centralized government to producers, traders, and transporters.