Farming context: Chad
Chad fertilizer estimates use the selected crop, field, soil and product assumptions from the TD agriculture dataset. Check local conditions before applying national averages.
| Agriculture share of GDP | ~45% |
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| Arable land | 5,000,000 ha |
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| Irrigated share | ~2% |
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| Main food crops | sorghum, millet, groundnut, rice, maize, cowpea |
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| Main export crops | cotton, sesame |
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Country context from the AfroTools agriculture dataset - planning reference, not agronomic advice. Confirm with local extension services.
Fertilizer Use in Chad
Chad is a large, landlocked Sahelian country where agriculture and pastoralism are the primary economic activities for the majority of the population. Cotton production in the southern Sudanian zone is the main driver of fertilizer demand, while millet, sorghum, groundnuts, and rice are the principal food crops. Annual fertilizer consumption is estimated at 20,000 to 40,000 tonnes, which is very low relative to the country's cultivated area. CotonTchad (the national cotton company) is the largest single consumer and distributor of fertilizer. The country imports all its mineral fertilizers, primarily through the port of Douala in Cameroon, with overland transport adding significant cost. Soil fertility decline is a major concern in the intensively cultivated cotton zone and in the Sahelian belt where population pressure has reduced fallow periods.
Common Fertilizer Types
Cotton-specific NPK blends, particularly 22-10-15 with sulfur and boron, are the most consumed fertilizer in Chad, distributed through the CotonTchad system. Urea (46-0-0) is used as a supplementary nitrogen source for cotton and for rice in the irrigated perimeters around Lake Chad and the Logone-Chari river system. NPK 15-15-15 is the most common compound fertilizer available for food crops in the limited commercial market. DAP is used in smaller quantities for rice cultivation. Organic amendments, including composted manure and crop residues, are essential components of soil fertility management in Chad, with agro-pastoral systems providing animal manure from transhumant herds. The use of zai pits (planting holes amended with manure) and half-moon water harvesting combined with micro-doses of fertilizer is promoted in the Sahelian zone by ICRISAT and development partners.
Subsidy Programs & Access
Chad's fertilizer distribution is primarily channeled through CotonTchad for cotton growers, who receive inputs on credit with costs deducted from cotton revenues at harvest. For food crop farmers, the government periodically implements subsidized fertilizer distribution through the National Office for Food Security (ONASA) and provincial agriculture offices. These programs are often linked to national food security campaigns and may cover 20 to 30% of the fertilizer cost. Access requires farmer registration with the local cantonal agriculture service. Distribution logistics are a major challenge given Chad's vast territory and limited road infrastructure, particularly during the rainy season when many areas become inaccessible. International partners including the AfDB, World Bank, and Islamic Development Bank have supported input subsidy and distribution programs as part of broader agricultural development projects in the Sudanian and Sahelian zones.