Chad is a landlocked country in Central Africa that faces many challenges in rural development. It has a population of 18.3 million, with 78 per cent living in rural areas. Poverty impacts 30.8 per cent of the population, particularly in rural areas, where it is more pronounced. Chad’s economy mainly relies on the rural sector, which employs 80 per cent of the workforce and contributes 40 per cent of GDP. However, this sector faces several constraints that limit its productivity and competitiveness, including vulnerability to climate shocks such as droughts and floods, limited access to agricultural inputs, equipment and financing, weak rural infrastructure and degradation of natural resources. In response to these challenges, IFAD has been working with the Chadian government since 1991 to improve the living conditions of poor people in rural areas. With a current portfolio of more than US$239 million, the Fund aims to strengthen the resilience of agriculture and food systems, increase the incomes of smallholder producers and create jobs, especially for women and youth. Despite significant amelioration, the country is ranked 189th out of 193 countries in the United Nations Development Programme’s 2024 Human Development Index