Livestock in Chad is a major resource for the country, but it is often overlooked compared to the oil industry. However, with a herd of more than 140 million head, the potential of this sector is immense.
One of the main difficulties encountered in the exploitation of Chadian livestock lies in the valorization of the animal skins. Indeed, apart from the export of live livestock, other products derived from livestock, such as skin, are struggling to find their place on the market.
Animal skin is, however, a precious raw material, used in many sectors such as the fashion industry, furniture and leather goods. However, its potential remains largely underexploited in Chad.
Several reasons explain this situation. First of all, skin processing infrastructures are insufficient. Slaughterhouses do not have the necessary equipment to prepare the hide optimally, which limits its quality and value on the market.
In addition, management of the skin industry requires specific technical skills. You have to know how to select the right skins, treat them adequately and add value to them in order to meet buyers’ requirements.
Finally, marketing the skins is also a challenge. The sector lacks effective organization and producers have difficulty finding buyers interested in their products. It is therefore crucial to develop distribution networks and promote the quality and value of Chadian skins.
However, despite these challenges, many initiatives are emerging to promote skin enhancement in Chad. Training and awareness programs are put in place to improve the skills and knowledge of stakeholders in the sector. Partnerships with foreign companies are also envisaged to develop export opportunities.
It is also essential to raise consumer awareness of the quality of products from the skin sector. By favoring the purchase of Chadian products, consumers contribute to supporting the local economy while benefiting from high quality products.
In conclusion, the valorization of the skin of the livestock sector in Chad represents a real challenge, but also an economic opportunity to be seized. By investing in infrastructure, strengthening skills and creating partnerships, Chad can take advantage of this untapped potential and thus contribute to the development of its economy and rural communities.