Scaling Up the Management of Fish Reproductive Areas through Fishery Enclosure Systems in the Fianga Lacustrine Area (ELF), Mont-Illi Department, Mayo-Kebbi East Province, Chad

About the Project

Farmers in Chad encounter persistent challenges stemming from poverty and food insecurity, exacerbated by climatic aridity, inadequate farming techniques, and insufficient access to agricultural resources and knowledge. Additionally, Chad faces environmental stressors such as diminishing rainfall and the depletion of water bodies due to climate change. The Fianga Lakeshore Area, located in the southwestern region of Chad, exemplifies this issue, as it grapples with a decline in agricultural productivity attributed to both natural phenomena and human activities.

The Fianga Lakeshore Area, home to three lakes, plays a pivotal role in sustaining the livelihoods of 85 neighbouring villages and their livestock. Rich in biodiversity, the area supports diverse fish species, ample grazing lands for livestock, and fertile fields for cultivating crops such as red sorghum and off-season produce like berbere and vegetables. However, the region faces numerous challenges, including unsustainable agricultural practices, illegal fishing activities, conflicts over land use, siltation of lakes, water contamination, and soil degradation.

To address these challenges, local communities surrounding the lakes have established grassroots governance structures, known as local orientation and decision-making bodies (ILODs), since the early 1990s. Comprising farmers, fishermen, and agro-pastoralists, these entities aim to preserve the lakes' resources, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve the well-being of lakeside communities. Affiliated with the National Consultation Council of Rural Producers of Chad, these organizations have received ongoing support in organizational development. Now, the council seeks to further bolster these efforts to alleviate pressure on natural resources and foster sustainable improvements in local communities' standards of living. The proposed interventions include addressing issues such as fraudulent practices, ensuring appropriate infrastructure development, and promoting economic diversification among lakeside communities, with a focus on empowering women and youth.