Cash crops and local development: the case of cotton in Kouh-est in southern Chad

Abstract

Cash crops, notwithstanding the environmental degradation they cause, constitute sources of income for producers and the main factor in structuring the rural world and local development in certain countries. It is this problem that this study highlights at the scale of the Kouh-Est Department. To do this, the article carried out bibliographic analysis and field work. 40 leaders of peasant organizations in Kouh-Est were randomly surveyed as well as the sub-sector head of ANADER in Bodo. The result is that cotton cultivation, although having accelerated deforestation due to the extensive nature of agricultural practices in Kouh-Est, contributed to the improvement of the living conditions of cotton farmers. This culture has favored the structuring of the rural world, in particular the emergence of peasant organizations whose role is to facilitate access to agricultural inputs and the dissemination of agricultural techniques. The rebates from the self-managed market system granted to these organizations and the substantial income obtained by cotton farmers make it possible to actively participate in local development actions, particularly in the construction of socio-economic infrastructure (drilling, school, health center, granary or store, …). The new mentality born from the existence of these organizations facilitates the contribution in kind to the creation of these infrastructures. However, permanent access to agricultural credit and strengthening the intervention capacity of cotton growers would boost the dynamics of peasant organizations in Kouh-Est. Also, members of organizations must be careful to ensure sound management of their assets.