Area:
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1 259 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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From north to south: arid, semi-arid and tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-Oct.
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Population:
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7.4 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 230 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked Sahelian country.
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Logistics:
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Roads inadequate during rainy season
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Major foodcrops:
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Millet and sorghum, roots and tubers, tree nuts
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Marketing year:
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November/October; Lean season: August-September
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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52 percent
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The growing season is now well established in the agricultural zones. Following first rains in late March and mid-April in the extreme south, the rainy season actually started in mid-May in the south, in the Sudanian zone. Precipitation progressed northwards in the Sahelian zone in June, notably during the second dekad. They reduced somewhat during the third dekad but improved significantly during the first dekad of July. Planting of coarse grains is now underway in the Sahelian zone. Recently planted millet and sorghum are generally growing satisfactorily in the Sudanian zone.
Pastures are regenerating. Grasshopper attacks have been reported in Mayo-Kebbi but there is no significant damage to crops. Grain-eating birds and rodents caused some damage to maize sowings in irrigated areas of Bol in Lac region. No Desert Locusts activity is reported.
Following release of final production estimates by the national statistical services, the aggregate 1999 cereal production is estimated at 1 230 000 tonnes (with rice in paddy), which is 5 percent below the 1998 record but 16 percent above the five-year average. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Prices of cereals remain stable and are lower than previous years in both Sudanian and Sahelian zones. Farmers have replenished stocks for the second consecutive year or sold cereals to compensate for low cotton incomes and poor groundnut production. Some areas were flooded in Moyen Chari and Logone Oriental prefectures. Food supply difficulties could be experienced in northern Lac province and in some areas of Batha, Biltine, Kanem (notably in Mao and Nokou sub-prefectures) and Tandjilé. The cereal import requirement for the 1999/2000 marketing year is estimated at 67 000 tonnes, including 12 000 tonnes of food aid.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 3 | 100 | 956 | 1 059 |
| Previous five years average imports | 56 | 10 | 8 | 74 |
| 1999/2000 Domestic Availability | 4 | 95 | 1 088 | 1 187 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 4 | 138 | 1 088 | 1 230 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | 4 | 95 | 1 088 | 1 187 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1999/2000 Utilization | 64 | 100 | 1 090 | 1 254 |
| Food Use | 63 | 73 | 835 | 971 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 17 | 170 | 188 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 15 | 15 |
| Possible stock build up | - | 10 | 70 | 80 |
| 1999/2000 Import Requirement | 60 | 5 | 2 | 67 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 50 | 5 | - | 55 |
| Food aid needs | 10 | - | 2 | 12 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 4 | - | 7 | 11 |
| of which: Delivered | 4 | - | 7 | 11 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 9 | 10 | 113 | 131 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of average: | 116 | |||
| 1999/2000 import requirement as % of average: | 91 |
