FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 10/96

CHAD

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Area: 1 259 000 sq.km
Climate: From north to south: arid, semi-arid and tropical wet-dry; one rainy season: May-Oct.
Population: 6.74 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 190 (1994)
Specific characteristics of the country: Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked Sahelian country
Logistics: Roads inadequate during rainy season
Major foodcrops: Millet and sorghum, roots and tubers, tree nuts
Marketing year: November/October; Lean season: August-September
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 52 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Following abundant rains in August, crops are growing satisfactorily in the south while harvest prospects remain uncertain in the Sahelian zone. Following somewhat reduced rains in early and mid-July, precipitation became more abundant and relatively well distributed over the producing areas, except in the south-west (Léré region). During the first dekad of August, rains were generally adequate except in some areas in the Sahelian zone such as Bokoro or Massakory. Precipitation improved significantly during the second dekad and was widespread and well above normal in the south and the centre during the last dekad. In the Sudanian zone, coarse grains are heading/maturing. In the Sahelian zone, millet and sorghum are elongating. Maize is maturing in the south. Crop conditions are generally satisfactory. Pastures are good in the south, and improving in the centre and north.

Grasshoppers are reported in Guéra and Salamat. Isolated Desert Locusts have been seen in the Biltine area in early August. Low numbers may also be present in Tibesti and southern Ennedi. Small scale breeding may be in progress in a few areas which received recent rains and new hoppers and adults could appear. Some insect and rodent attacks are also reported in Lac, Moyen-Chari and Ouadaï areas.

Following two successive good harvests, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory but tightening in several areas of the Sahelian region. Difficulties have been reported in Kanem region, notably in Mao and Nokou areas, where markets are not well supplied, cereal prices are particularly high and seasonal migration is high. Supply difficulties and high cereal prices are also reported in Biltine prefecture, notably in Arada and Iriba areas, where cereal prices doubled compared to last year, and in Abéché-Rural area in northern Ouaddaï prefecture. However, in several areas, cereal prices declined in May and June following the arrival of early rains and the impact of distribution or sales at subsidized prices. The national early warning system estimated that a total of 333 000 persons were vulnerable to food shortages in villages of the prefectures of Kanem, Biltine, Batha, Ouaddaï, Lac and Chari-Baguirmi. It estimated that about 9 600 tons of food aid was needed for a period of 4 months beginning April/May 1996. Cereals can be drawn from the national food security reserve. In Batha, Biltine, Kanem and Ouaddaï regions an epidemic of cholera developed in June/July. The fall in domestic crop production in 1995 has led to a slight increase in cereal import requirement for 1995/96, which is estimated at 65 000 tons of wheat and rice. Imported food aid requirement is estimated at 2 000 tons. However, 21 000 tons have been pledged and 12 000 tons delivered so far.