Sunrise in Midekin Village meant golden rice fields ready to pop – and this year's harvest was extra special. Thanks to a China-aided agriculture project, Chad's rice game just leveled up! 🚜🍚
On October 4, local farmers in the Hadjer-Lamis Region celebrated a Harvest Festival like no other. As engines hummed and machines roared, Chinese agricultural experts showed off brand-new rice transplanters and harvesters – tech that has become a game-changer in Chad. 🌾✨
Mahamat Ahmad Alhabo, secretary general at the Presidency of Chad, says the project proves that Chad can produce enough rice to feed its population and even export for extra income. That's huge for a country that has long relied on rice imports. 💪
Back in 2006, a squad of pros from the Agricultural Technical Assistance Mission of China to Chad (MATACT) arrived with seeds, know-how, and heavy-duty equipment. They taught local farmers everything from transplanting to irrigation, blending new tech with Chad's farming traditions. 🤝
Fast forward to today: over 600,000 hectares of improved rice varieties have been sown, and yields from Chinese strains are 35% higher than local ones. That's an extra 1.2 million tonnes of rice – enough to feed 3 million people for a year! 🌍🍽️
For farmers like 27-year-old Baradine Kadre, seeing the harvester at work felt like pure magic. It makes him proud to watch modern machines at play in the fields. And for Oumar Souleymane, learning to plow, seed, and fertilize like the experts has boosted his harvest and hopes. 🌱❤️
According to He Qiaosheng, head of MATACT's team, the partnership is built on equality, mutual benefit, and training local talent – not just aid. By respecting Chad's landscape and culture, and mixing in practical tech, this collab is a genuine win-win. 🎯
For young professionals and eco-conscious folks in South and Southeast Asia, Chad's rice revolution shows how tech + teamwork can tackle food security challenges. If Chad can harness innovation to feed millions, imagine what we can do in our own communities! 🤔🌾
Reference(s):
China-aided agricultural project helps boost Chad's food security
cgtn.com
