Tunisia is taking significant strides towards bolstering its grain production in a bid to reduce its dependency on imports and ensure self-sufficiency. With the recent exacerbation of bread shortages over the past few weeks, the Tunisian government has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at cultivating up to 1.2 million hectares of land by 2035.
The Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries has emerged as a pivotal partner in executing this new grain production initiative. Although experts believe that the goal of cultivating 1.2 million hectares of farmland is attainable, concerns linger regarding the current productivity levels of the country’s agricultural lands, which remain below optimal expectations.
Chokri Rezgui, Vice President of the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries, highlighted, “Each hectare currently produces around 15 to 16 quintals of grain. To meet the ambitious target set by the Tunisian state and achieve self-sufficiency, we need to enhance this productivity to 27 or 30 quintals per hectare. There are substantial challenges, but the project is both necessary and ambitious.”
Mokhtar Bahrini, a grain farmer hailing from the Beja Region in Northwest Tunisia, underscored the vital role of crop rotation in maintaining soil fertility and ensuring productive yields. He emphasized that cultivating 1.2 million hectares of grain necessitates parallel cultivation of the same area with other crops to ensure soil sustainability. Bahrini explained that employing a crop rotation system prevents the planting of the same crops in the same location season after season, which ultimately leads to healthier and more successful harvests.
The implications of climate change loom large over Tunisia’s agricultural sector. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has projected heightened water scarcity due to climate change-induced rising temperatures globally. This impending challenge poses a significant threat to Tunisia’s agriculture and food security. Farmers in the country have voiced their concerns, citing diminished productivity due to irregular precipitation and extended periods of drought.
Mokhtar Bahrini further elaborated, “Climate change has led to reduced crop productivity in Tunisia, with unpredictable consequences for grain production until 2035. To counteract these impacts, Tunisia must implement a water management strategy in tandem with its grain production plans.”
According to the National Observatory of Agriculture, wheat constitutes a substantial portion of Tunisia’s grain imports, comprising 58% of total imports until July 2023. To address the frequent occurrences of bread shortages, the government has allocated $450 million for wheat imports. This underscores the urgency with which Tunisia seeks to bolster domestic grain production.
In the first seven months of the year, Tunisia’s expenditure on grain purchases amounted to $770 million. With this financial burden in mind, the North African nation is diligently working towards a twofold solution: curbing imports and boosting domestic grain production. This dual-pronged approach is seen as essential in achieving self-sufficiency and securing the food needs of the population.
As the Tunisian government lays out its comprehensive strategy to cultivate 1.2 million hectares of land for increased grain production, the nation faces a complex interplay of challenges including enhancing productivity, countering the impacts of climate change, and ensuring the viability of its domestic food supply. In the coming years, the success of these initiatives will play a pivotal role in shaping Tunisia’s agricultural landscape and food security.
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