For years, discussions about Chad have often centred on the difficulties facing the country and the wider Sahel. But beyond those familiar headlines, another story is taking shape. Across communities around Lake Chad, farmland is being restored, irrigation systems are returning to use, solar-powered pumps are supporting production and new opportunities are emerging for farmers, women and young people.
The changes are part of a broader effort to strengthen food systems and help communities build more secure livelihoods. One of the clearest examples can be seen through the Lake Chad Region Recovery and Development Project (PROLAC), which is helping communities turn previously underused agricultural land back into productive farmland. Restored irrigation systems and solar-powered pumps are enabling farmers to cultivate areas that had been abandoned, while improved roads and market connections are helping communities get their produce to buyers.
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The significance goes beyond agriculture. For communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on farming, fishing and livestock, productive land means more than food. It means income, employment and greater economic security. By restoring agricultural infrastructure, Chad is helping communities create opportunities closer to home.
One of the most encouraging developments has been the restoration of about 2,400 hectares of previously abandoned polders in western Chad. The areas have been equipped with solar-powered pumps, replacing more expensive fuel-based systems. The combination of restored land and renewable energy is helping farmers return to production while reducing the cost of operating irrigation infrastructure.
This is an important shift for a country where agriculture remains central to the livelihoods of millions. Instead of relying solely on emergency assistance when food supplies become tight, investment is increasingly being directed towards the productive capacity of communities themselves.
The results are already being felt at household level. PROLAC reports that its work has helped create jobs, raise incomes and strengthen livelihoods for farmers, women, young people and displaced communities. Better roads and improved access to markets are also reconnecting communities that have previously faced difficulties getting their produce to market.
The progress around Lake Chad also comes at a time when the lake itself is showing signs of recovery. Research published in July 2026 indicates that water levels have increased, creating renewed opportunities for carefully planned irrigation and agricultural development. Researchers estimate that targeted irrigation investments around the recovering lake could potentially support food production for more than 12 million people and unlock billions of dollars in economic gains.
For Chad, this creates an opportunity to turn one of its most important natural assets into a stronger foundation for economic activity. The lake supports farming, fishing and livestock, while its surrounding communities provide a large pool of agricultural knowledge and labour.
The use of solar energy adds another dimension to this transformation. In areas where access to reliable electricity can be difficult, solar-powered irrigation offers farmers a way to make better use of available water without depending entirely on diesel-powered equipment. It also demonstrates how renewable energy can be integrated directly into agricultural production.
The country’s food-system efforts extend beyond irrigation. In February 2026, UNOPS announced support for a World Bank-financed food-system resilience programme working with the Chadian government. The programme includes agricultural and laboratory equipment, weather-monitoring stations, solar-energy solutions and improved agricultural inputs.
These investments matter because a stronger food system depends on more than what happens on the farm. Farmers need access to reliable information, quality inputs, storage, roads, markets and processing facilities. Strengthening these links can help more of the value created by agriculture remain within local communities.
There is also a strong human dimension to the progress. Women and young people are increasingly being included in agricultural and livelihood activities, creating opportunities for groups that are essential to the future of rural economies. For displaced communities, access to productive land and employment can provide an important route towards greater independence and stability.
Chad’s experience offers a broader lesson for the Sahel. Resilience does not always come from large, highly visible projects. Sometimes it is built through restored farmland, a functioning irrigation canal, a solar pump, a better road or a farmer who can once again reach a market with a reliable harvest.
The story emerging around Lake Chad is therefore not simply about recovering from hardship. It is about creating the conditions for communities to produce more, earn more and participate more fully in the economy.
Chad still faces significant challenges, but the progress already being made shows that change is possible. Restored agricultural land, renewable-powered irrigation, improved infrastructure and stronger market connections are giving communities new reasons to look beyond survival and towards growth.
For a country often defined by the difficulties of the Sahel, these developments offer a different perspective: one in which resilience is becoming a platform for opportunity, and where investment in communities is helping lay the foundations for a more productive and food-secure future.
