Desert Environments of Republic of Chad - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 169

Fig. 9.2 Local livestock owners of livestock practice transhumance to chase the seasonal avail-
ability of forage and water

6.1 Sahelian Region

Production systems in the Sahelian region are a combination of diversified systems
dominated by pastoral agro-forestry. Agricultural practices range from traditional
irrigated subsistence farming to a more viable extensive farming of oilseeds
and legumes. Although vegetation in the south includes trees and forests, the
north is more steppe-like. Forests are exploited essentially for ligneous products
for domestic energy needs and economically profitable ligneous sub-products, in
particular gum arabic. Animal rearing is transhumant (Fig. 9.2 ).

6.2 Sudano Region

Production systems in the Sudano region are very diversified. Vegetation consists of
dry dense forests and savannah. These lands are used for cattle-rearing and cereal,
oilseed, tuber, legume and cotton production.
Chad's subsistence farmers practice traditional slash-and-burn agriculture in
tandem with crop rotation, which is typical throughout much of Africa. Sorghum
is the most important food crop, followed by millet and berebere .Lessprevalent
grains are corn, rice, and wheat. Other secondary crops include peanuts, sesame,
legumes, and tubers, as well as a variety of garden vegetables.