N'DJAMENA, Chad – September 10, 2026
Chad is taking drastic steps to stave off a looming food crisis after an unprecedented drought devastated harvests across the country. Finance Minister Tahir Hamid Nguilin announced the lifting of import duties on wheat, corn, millet, rice and livestock feed, while Commerce Minister Mathieu Guibolo Fanga issued a decree banning the export of millet, corn, rice, sorghum, wheat and cotton seed.
Context and Significance
The Central African nation experienced a series of dry spells from July through mid‑August, eroding crop development and threatening food security for millions. The World Food Programme warned earlier this year that more than three million people could face acute food insecurity during the lean season.
"The central, eastern and northern regions are the hardest hit by the drought," said Keda Ballah, Chad’s minister of agricultural production and industrialization, in an interview with Reuters. "This is the only way to prevent famine in certain regions, and we are aware of that."
Policy Measures
- Import Duty Lifts: Wheat, corn, millet, rice, livestock feed and agricultural equipment will now enter Chad duty‑free, aiming to lower food prices and boost supply.
- Export Ban: The same list of staples, plus cotton seed, is barred from export to preserve domestic stocks.
- Irrigated Crop Support: The government plans to assist farmers in growing off‑season crops in irrigated zones, a measure Ballah said could mitigate future shortages.
Real Quotes from Affected Farmers
"What concerns authorities is the food shortage in the markets ... We're definitely going to starve because, in our community, no farmer has been spared," said Mahamat Moussa Ali, a farmer in Chari‑Baguirmi, who reported that drought wiped out 12 hectares of his corn crop.
"Our animals are losing weight, producing less milk and having trouble walking long distances ... Some of us have sought refuge in the Central African Republic despite the insecurity there," said Djibrilla Abba Bello, a nomadic herder in Mayo‑Kebbi Ouest, highlighting the broader livestock impact.
Implications and Next Steps
The measures are expected to alleviate immediate price pressures, but long‑term food security will hinge on rainfall patterns and the effectiveness of irrigation programs. International donors have pledged additional aid, but the scale of the drought may require more substantial investment in climate‑resilient agriculture.
Sources
- Reuters, "Drought‑hit Chad bans some crop exports to avert food crisis", September 10, 2026.
- United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, "Cereal production outlook for Central Africa", September 8, 2026.
- World Food Programme, "Food insecurity outlook 2026", July 2026.
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Institutional Research Desk · Foresight Institute of Research and Translation
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