Assessment and development plan of the date and natron value chains in Chad Chad

Context of the service

During a workshop organized in April 2013 by the Implementation Unit of the Enhanced Integrated Framework in Chad (UMOCIRT), eight value chains, including natron and dates, were identified as strategic for the country's development.
Few studies have been conducted on these two sectors located in the Saharan region of Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti (BET) and the Sahelian regions of Lac and Kanem. Those that have been conducted are dated. In addition, they did not address certain important issues: link with international markets, critical analysis of production and export statistics, international quality criteria, etc.
On the basis of these findings, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has launched this study, which aims to better understand these sectors and set up projects to support their development.

Services provided

The analyses were based on a review of the bibliography (internet searches, collection of paper and electronic documents from relevant institutions) and interviews with local authorities and farmers in the BET, Lac and Kanem regions.
The data collected were updated, consolidated and triangulated. This made it possible to describe the sectors: production (location, quantities, flows, actors, prices/margins, constraints, etc.), transport (costs, constraints, organization, etc.), processing (costs, constraints, organization, etc.), export (volumes, destinations, taxes, constraints, etc.), consumption (consumption trends, consumer preferences, etc.). ...
Project documents focused on: The uncertain evolution of the potential for sustainable production of natron and dates, in the context of climate change; The necessary improvement of production and marketing conditions; Strengthening access to market information.

Summary of the service

Assessment and development plan of date and natron sectors (minerals based on calcium carbonate-bicarbonate) in the Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti (BET), Lac and Kanem Regions: Value chain analysis (production, transport, processing, export, consumption, strengths and weaknesses); Design of ad hoc development projects of these two sectors.