Tunisian Agricultural Sector: Drones Not a Priority, Says Federation Founder
The founder of the Tunisian Farmers' Federation, Laith Ben Bishr, stated on Thursday, December 4, 2025, that the use of agricultural drones, although facilitated by the recent adoption of Article 135 by the Parliament, is not a priority for the Tunisian agricultural sector.
Article 135: A Step Towards Modernization
Article 135, approved by the Council of Deputies on Wednesday evening, authorizes farmers to use drones for the spraying of phytosanitary products, ensuring rapid and effective intervention while protecting crops. However, the necessary permits must still be issued by the relevant authorities.
A Need for More Fundamental Solutions
Speaking on Express FM, Laith Ben Bishr emphasized that the sector needs more fundamental solutions than the use of drones, which remain expensive and inaccessible to many Tunisian farmers. He also noted that the regulatory texts defining the implementation of Article 135 are still pending.
Major Challenges Facing Tunisian Agriculture
The expert highlighted other major challenges for Tunisian agriculture, including:
- The supply of quality seeds
- The need to rethink the governance of state-owned lands to ensure their optimal and sustainable exploitation
Parliament Adopts Article 138
In parallel, the Parliament adopted Article 138, aimed at creating a financing line for the restructuring of state-owned lands exceeding 1,000 hectares in regions such as Sfax, Siliana, Béja, and Jendouba. This measure is expected to:
- Improve the profitability of these farms
- Create jobs for young entrepreneurs and engineers
- Ensure the necessary liquidity for their effective management
- Provide adapted support to operators
The adoption of these articles marks a significant step towards the modernization of the Tunisian agricultural sector, but the Federation's founder stresses that more fundamental solutions are needed to address the sector's deep-seated challenges.
