Chad

Seed sector in Chad

Chad has set several objectives to increase the availability of field crop seeds and improve agricultural production. The government’s 2006–2015 Master Plan for Agriculture (SDA) aims to sustainably increase agricultural productivity. The SDA promotes the modernization of agriculture and reflects the will of the government to refocus its political functions and transfer the production and marketing functions to the private sector.

Historically, the government established Chad’s cooperatives and ran them as public organizations. A lack of willingness by members and meddling from the government explain the failure of cooperatives to grow sustainably. However, the recent reorganization of the national seed sector has fostered the establishment of seed-producing cooperatives. Many began after development projects were implemented and training was offered. On top of regular food production, cooperatives produce seeds that are first sold locally and then to non-governmental organizations or development programs. In spite of being productive, however, many cooperatives lack proper commercial channels.

Observations

Corteva and Pop Vriend Seeds are the only two index companies active in Chad. Several national companies and cooperatives (not included in the index) produce and sell seed, but none is active in breeding.