Agriculture
From The Report: Tunisia 2019
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As advancements in irrigation and mechanisation are boosting efficiency and profitability, considerable improvements in infrastructure are still required, as is the organisation of farms and supply chains to ensure long-term development. Boosting competitiveness so that producers and exporters are able to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area is particularly important. The government has a vital role to play in achieving these objectives in terms of investing in infrastructure and logistics, pro¬viding a robust legal framework and improving access to financing to stimulate further private investment. This chapter contains an interview with Abdellatif Ghedira, Executive Director, International Olive Council; and Mohsen Boujbel, General Manager, VACPA Boudjebel.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Green shoots: Government programmes and private investment in the sector improve irrigation and boost efficiency
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Olive oil, cereals, fruit and vegetables, and dates have long been the foundation of agriculture in Tunisia. Efforts are being made to modernise the sector through the development of agri-business, yet agriculture remains largely dominated by small family farms. In this context, initiatives to reorganise production to boost efficiency and equity are being implemented, notably in the form of cooperatives. The devaluation of the dinar has had mixed impact on the sector, driving up the cost…

Interview

A fruitful operation: Abdellatif Ghedira, Executive Director, International Olive Council, on olive oil production and trade
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Interview:Abdellatif Ghedira How does Tunisia contribute to the global production and trade of olive oil? ABDELLATIF GHEDIRA: Tunisia is a founding member of the International Olive Council and is very active in the organisation, which comprises almost 96% of all producing countries. In 2018 Tunisia was the fourth-largest producer in the world with roughly 140,000 tonnes, behind Spain (1.7m tonnes), Italy (350,000 tonnes) and Greece (260,000 tonnes). International olive oil trade has averaged…

Analysis

Start-up spirit: Collaboration with international development agencies supports rural entrepreneurship
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Agriculture is set to play a key role in achieving the government’s objective of increasing employment for young people, particularly in rural areas. In 2018 around 47% of the Tunisian population was under 30 years old and the youth unemployment rate stood at 34.8%, according to the World Bank. However, a number of programmes have been created to encourage innovation and investment, while also overcoming financing and land issues, to boost employment in the sector. Digital Technologies The government…

Interview

Clear direction: Mohsen Boujbel, General Manager, VACPA Boudjebel, on measures to protect local agriculture and farmer livelihood
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Interview:Mohsen Boujbel Given the increasing effects of climate change, which issues are most pressing for the sector? MOHSEN BOUJBEL: The effects of climate change are already felt in certain regions of Tunisia, particularly the south. The economic impact of environmental degradation is of particular concern to small-scale farms that do not utilise modern resource management techniques to mitigate the exposure of crops to weather-related challenges. Indeed, only a small portion of the country’s…