Africa economy: In Chad, the challenges of the livestock industry
Chad is a country known for being one of the largest breeding centers in Africa. With a herd estimated at more than 140 million heads, the livestock sector plays an essential role in the country’s economy, positioning itself as the second resource after oil. However, despite its potential, this sector is struggling to develop and fully exploit its assets.
The main activity linked to livestock production in Chad is the export of live livestock. This represents a significant portion of the revenue generated by the sector, but this marketing method has some limitations and inefficiencies. Indeed, transporting live animals over long distances can lead to losses in weight and quality, which is detrimental to the profitability of the operation. Furthermore, this does not allow the added value of livestock-derived products to be fully exploited.
It is in this context that the valorization of the skin constitutes a real challenge for the livestock industry in Chad. Indeed, skin represents immense potential, particularly as a raw material for the leather goods and textile industry, but its processing and marketing remain complex and underdeveloped.
One of the main reasons for this situation is the lack of suitable infrastructure. The processing of hides requires specific facilities, such as tanneries, which are sorely lacking in the country. Skins, in the absence of these infrastructures, are often exported raw, thus limiting their value-added potential.
Another major obstacle is the low level of training of those involved in the sector. Skin processing techniques are little known and mastered, which makes their processing and marketing difficult. It is therefore essential to invest in training and strengthening the skills of stakeholders in the livestock industry, in order to develop their expertise in skin processing and improve their ability to meet international quality standards.
At the same time, it is necessary to promote livestock breeding and derived products more effectively on the national and international market. Promotional initiatives, such as specialized fairs and exhibitions, could allow Chadian producers to promote their products and develop their customer base. In addition, partnerships with international players, such as renowned leather goods companies, could also promote market access and the promotion of Chadian products.
In conclusion, although livestock farming represents an important economic resource in Chad, the valorization of its derived products, particularly skin, remains a challenge to overcome.. To develop this sector, it is essential to invest in infrastructure, training and product promotion, in order to create a solid and sustainable value chain for the livestock industry. This would maximize the economic benefits of this key sector for the country.