Chad ranks as Central Africa’s second-largest cotton producer, trailing only Cameroon. Despite its potential, the country’s cotton output has fluctuated sharply in recent years, creating instability in the sector. To address this challenge, the Ministry of Production and Agricultural Industrialization launched the Agricultural and Territorial Development Project for Chad’s Cotton Basin (DEBACO) on May 13. With a total budget of 19.35 million EUR—equivalent to $22.5 million—the five-year initiative is fully funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).

The French Embassy in N’Djamena emphasized that DEBACO represents a strategic shift in France’s support for Chad’s cotton industry, adopting a more holistic approach to rural development. While cotton remains the primary focus, the project also extends assistance to key food crops such as sorghum, maize, cowpeas, and groundnuts, reinforcing food security efforts.

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

Targeting the Mayo-Kebbi Ouest and Moyen-Chari regions—home to nearly a quarter of the country’s annual cotton production according to USDA data—the initiative arrives at a critical moment. Cotton output in Chad has been erratic, with production rising 9% in 2023-2024 to 111,262 tonnes before plummeting to 57,774 tonnes the following season, a nearly 50% drop. Forecasts for 2025-2026 suggest a partial recovery, with an anticipated 29.8% increase to 75,000 tonnes.

Whether DEBACO can stabilize Chad’s cotton sector in the long run remains to be seen, but its integrated approach offers a promising step forward.