Chad stands as the second-largest cotton producer in Central Africa, trailing only Cameroon. Despite fluctuations in production over recent years, the government in N’Djamena is determined to revitalize the sector.

On May 13, Chad’s Ministry of Production and Agricultural Industrialization officially launched the Agricultural and Territorial Development Project for the Chad Cotton Basin (DEBACO). With a total investment of 19.35 million EUR (equivalent to 22.5 million USD), this five-year initiative is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).

The French Embassy in N’Djamena highlights that DEBACO represents a strategic shift in France’s support for Chad’s cotton industry, adopting a more holistic approach to rural development. While the project primarily targets cotton, it also extends assistance to key food crops vital for national food security, including sorghum, maize, cowpeas, and peanuts.

« The DEBACO project will enhance land-use planning, demarcate and secure livestock corridors, prevent conflicts, and establish local dialogue frameworks among stakeholders, » stated the Ministry of Agricultural Production.

The initiative will focus on the Mayo-Kebbi Ouest and Moyen-Chari regions, which together account for nearly a quarter of Chad’s annual cotton output, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

This French-backed support arrives at a critical juncture, as Chad’s cotton production has experienced significant instability in recent years. Industry data compiled by the Regional Program for Integrated Cotton Production in Africa (PR-PICA) reveals sharp fluctuations in local supply.

Cotton seed production in Chad rose by 9% in the 2023-2024 season, reaching 111,262 tons, only to plummet by nearly half to 57,774 tons in the following campaign. However, PR-PICA projects a recovery of 29.8% for the 2025-2026 season, with an estimated output of 75,000 tons.

Whether the DEBACO project can sustainably reshape the industry’s trajectory remains to be seen in the coming years.