Irregular rainfall threatens agriculture in Senegal and Chad

Agricultural sectors in Senegal and Chad are facing challenges due to irregular and deficient rainfall during the current growing seasons.

In the Tambacounda region of Senegal, Minister of Agriculture Cheikhou Oumar Ba visited several farms to assess the impact of rain breaks on crops such as rice, cotton, corn, and fonio. Noting that corn is particularly vulnerable to water stress, the government plans to encourage crop diversification by providing alternative crops like cowpea and watermelon. The minister also pledged to repair broken agricultural equipment and support local dairy production.

In Chad, the 2026 agricultural campaign is characterized by delayed and infrequent precipitation, particularly during July and August. This deficit threatens yields for millet, sorghum, and maize, and poses risks to the livestock sector by slowing pasture regeneration and drying up water points. Experts suggest that developing irrigated agriculture is essential to reducing the country's heavy dependence on rainfall.