METEOROLOGICAL DATA AND PERCEPTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE BY BREEDERS IN THE MAYO-KEBBI WEST PROVINCE, IN THE SOUDANIAN ZONE OF CHAD

In sub-Saharan Africa, farmers are convinced of the existence of climate change. To deal with the harmful effects of climate change, producers have implemented various adaptation strategies, which the perception is the first factor that conditions their implementation. However, very few studies have focused on this question, especially among breeders. This study compares the perception of climate changes by breeders with meteorological data from 1991 to 2021 in the West Mayo-Kebbi Province in the soudanian zone of Chad. For this purpose, 845 breeders were interviewed. The data collected relates to sociodemographic characteristics and the perception of climate change. Data from the Pala weather station covering the period 1991 to 2021 were collected. The survey data were subjected to frequency analysis and the climate data to standardized anomalies. The results of this study reveal that the majority of breeders interviewed perceived a reduction in rainfall, a later onset of the season, a reduction in the length of the rainy season and a rise in temperatures. These results are consistent with climate data. On the other hand, there is a contradiction between meteorological observations and the breeders' conclusion on the early end of the rainy season. In addition, breeders highlight the resurgence of pockets of drought, poor distribution, and the intensification of rain and winds in recent years. This shows that the integration of indicators of change perceived by breeders would be relevant for developing strategies for adaptation to climate change in an appropriate, consensual and sustainable manner, by facilitating understanding and consultation between breeders and scientific communities.