With just 2,000 francs CFA per day, survival becomes a daily challenge for countless families across Chad, explained sociologist Remadji Ngaba. For a household of five or six members, this translates to roughly 375 francs per person—a figure that paints a stark picture of hardship in even the most modest Tchadian kitchens.
Under such constraints, meals first lose their protein sources, then vegetables. Families eat whatever is available, prioritizing survival over nutrition. The result is a silent nutritional crisis, with children growing up on inadequate diets that hinder their development and future prospects.
«Today, Chad is paying a heavy price,» Ngaba stated. «The average household’s pantry is nearly bare.» He emphasized the psychological resilience of Tchadians, who have adapted to this harsh reality. Without this mental fortitude, the situation would be unbearable for most.
When dissecting who bears the brunt of these economic pressures, Ngaba points directly to women. «She is the backbone of the household. When the cost of living spirals out of control, she feels the squeeze first—and when she struggles, the entire family suffers,» he noted. Fathers often hear complaints when wives return from markets, lamenting rising prices. What may seem like exaggeration is, in fact, a reflection of daily market struggles. Authorities, he argues, have failed to implement lasting price controls, with temporary measures offering no real change. «Prices climb, interventions come and go, and soon everything returns to how it was. Nothing moves forward,» he lamented.
Chad’s agricultural potential vs. food insecurity
Chad boasts over 33 million hectares of arable land across its 1.28 million square kilometers. Yet, despite this potential, hunger persists. The urban centers feel the squeeze most acutely, where every necessity comes with a price tag. But rural communities are not spared. Farmers and livestock herders face relentless threats—cattle trampling crops, minimal legal recourse, and mounting pressure to abandon their lands.
«We cannot all live in N’Djamena,» Ngaba warned. «It’s not safe, and it’s not sustainable.» Conflicts between farmers and herders further disrupt local production, which could otherwise stabilize urban food prices. «Both groups deserve protection,» he stressed. «Without safeguarding their livelihoods, the cycle of high costs and scarcity will continue.»
Stagnant wages and rising expenses
The minimum wage remains fixed at 60,000 francs CFA—a figure unchanged since 2011—while prices have doubled. In N’Djamena, even a modest room costs between 20,000 and 25,000 francs. Rent, utilities, and other essential expenses consume the bulk of a salary, leaving little for food or savings.
Ngaba proposed actionable solutions: subsidizing agricultural initiatives, optimizing water resource management, and establishing consistent market price monitoring. «They feel hunger too,» he remarked of leaders. «They travel, they see how others manage. It’s time they take bolder steps to improve life for their people,» he concluded.
