At dawn in Midekin Village, Hadjer-Lamis Region, golden rice ears sway gently, nudging farmers to gear up for the big Harvest Festival on October 4. 🚜🌾
This year’s celebration was extra special: local authorities and China’s agricultural experts gathered as a brand-new rice harvester roared to life, slicing through fields and turning dreams into reality.
Mahamat Ahmad Alhabo, secretary general at the Presidency of Chad, called it a game changer: 'I am very interested and at the same time amazed by the expertise of our Chinese friends. We can produce enough rice to feed Chad’s population, boost nutrition, and even export for income.'
Traditionally, Chad has relied on sesame, gum arabic, and cotton exports, while rice remained its staple—yet low yields and harsh climate forced massive imports and left many at risk of hunger.
Enter the Agricultural Technical Assistance Mission of China to Chad (MATACT), which landed in 2006. With hands-on training, modern equipment like rice transplanters and harvesters, and high-quality seeds, the team teamed up with farmers such as 27-year-old Baradine Kadre. 'I've never dreamed I'd see a machine harvest rice this fast—it's like watching magic,' Kadre laughed.
Fast forward almost two decades, and results speak volumes: over 600,000 hectares of improved rice seeds planted, yields up by 35 percent compared to local varieties, and an extra 1.2 million tonnes of rice—enough to feed 3 million people for a year.💪🌍
For many farmers, the payoff goes beyond numbers. 'We learned how to prepare seeds, plow properly, and use fertilizer efficiently,' shared Oumar Souleymane. 'Now I can feed my family and feel hopeful about our future.'
China’s approach? Unity and mutual growth. By blending practical tech with Chad’s farming traditions, both sides gain—building skills, boosting harvests, and forging a true partnership based on equality and shared development.
As the sun sets on another Harvest Festival, the joy in Midekin Village reminds us: when cultures and knowledge come together, fields transform, and communities thrive. 😊
Reference(s):
China-aided agricultural project helps boost Chad's food security
cgtn.com
