Plizio Visual Lab

Logone River Rice Paddies

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Agriculture

Weather…

Rice cultivation along the Logone River is one of the most vital agricultural activities in southwestern Chad. The river's fertile floodplains provide well-suited conditions for wet rice farming, which largely depends on seasonal rainfall and the fluctuating water levels of the Logone. Historically, cultivation was intensified during the colonial era to bolster regional food security. Farmers employ traditional irrigation techniques, often dividing fields into small plots that are flooded during the high-water season. This form of agriculture serves as the economic backbone for thousands of families in the Mayo-Kebbi and Logone Occidental regions. Harvesting typically occurs between November and January once the floodwaters have receded. In recent years, modern irrigation projects have been initiated to increase yields and reduce dependency on unpredictable weather patterns. Despite these technological advancements, manual labor remains the dominant factor in the production process across most of the river basin.

Location: Chad
Nearby: Moundou (11 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	26	29	32	32	30	27	26	25	25	26	27	26
Rain mm	0	0	5	40	98	136	223	262	191	82	4	0

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The rice paddies along the Logone River form the heart of Chad's rice production on the fertile floodplains. They ensure food supply and livelihoods for many farmers in the region.

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Visiting

The rice paddies are agricultural fields, easily visible from surrounding roads. Entering the fields is usually only possible with the owners' permission.

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Where to view it

The best view of the vast rice terraces is from the road from Bongor to Kélo, running parallel to the river. From the bridge in Bongor, one sees irrigation canals and green fields.

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Local products

Besides rice, millet and maize are also grown in the region. Markets in Bongor and Kélo offer fresh rice, local spices, and dried fish from the Logone.

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Active season

The rice growing season follows the floods: sowing occurs after the rainy season in October, harvesting in January and February. These months are when the fields are most lively.

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Nearby

A visit to the rice paddies can be combined with the town of Bongor and the Logone River bank. Zakouma National Park in the east also provides spectacular wildlife.