In the heart of Chad's Hadjer-Lamis Region, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Farmers in Midekin Village recently celebrated their rice harvest with a blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology, thanks to a decades-long collaboration with Chinese agricultural experts. The scene—marked by humming harvesters and jubilant locals—symbolizes a turning point for a nation long burdened by food insecurity.
Since 2006, the Agricultural Technical Assistance Mission of China to Chad (MATACT) has worked alongside Chadian farmers to modernize rice cultivation. By introducing high-yield seed varieties, advanced machinery, and sustainable irrigation techniques, the initiative has transformed over 600,000 hectares of farmland. Yields of Chinese-developed rice now exceed local varieties by 35%, producing an additional 1.2 million tonnes annually—enough to feed 3 million people.
"This partnership isn't just about machines; it's about empowerment," said Mahamat Ahmad Alhabo, Secretary General at the Presidency of Chad, during the October harvest festival. "We're building capacity to not only feed our population but also create economic opportunities."
For farmers like Baradine Kadre, 27, the project has replaced backbreaking labor with newfound efficiency. "Watching harvesters work feels like magic," he remarked, while 35-year-old Oumar Souleymane emphasized the value of knowledge transfer: "Chinese experts taught us everything—from seed preparation to fertilizer use."
He Qiaosheng, leader of the MATACT team, stressed the program's ethos: "We're fostering equality through shared learning. By blending Chinese innovations with Chad's agricultural wisdom, both sides grow stronger." Three Chinese rice varieties are now poised for inclusion in Chad's national seed catalog, a milestone in local food sovereignty.
As climate challenges intensify across the Sahel, this cross-continental partnership offers a blueprint for sustainable development—one harvest at a time.
