Land Development and Access to Financing Project Launched in Tunisia
A project to develop agricultural land and improve access to financing was launched on Tuesday in Tunis, an initiative of the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (UTAP).
Objective
The project aims to support farmers and strengthen their capacity to access the necessary land and financial resources to develop their activities and improve their performance. The project also has a "strategic stake" in improving the productivity of the agricultural sector, by establishing practical and sustainable mechanisms that allow sector actors to access agricultural land legally and transparently, while developing the financing system and facilitating access to it.
Support and Partnerships
Supported by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the Agricultural Land Agency, the General Directorate of Financing, and professional structures, the project plans to diagnose the current situation through a study of the problems and needs of farmers in terms of land development and access to financing.
Targeted Regions
As part of the project, which will target five governorates, including Siliana, Nabeul, Tataouine, Mahdia, and Bizerte, an awareness and information campaign will be organized for farmers, particularly women and young people, on agricultural land development and access to financing. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of access to land and financing.
Launch Conference
During the launch conference, UTAP President Moez Ben Zaghden highlighted the importance of this project, which is part of the framework for strengthening support for farmers, improving their supervision, and developing their activities. "It will promote better productivity and achieve food sovereignty." He also recalled that family farming is the cornerstone of the sector in Tunisia, representing more than 80% of agricultural farms and directly contributing to the workforce. However, "it is currently facing significant challenges that hinder its development, particularly land problems and difficulty accessing financing."
Project Significance
Ben Zaghden emphasized that the Land Development and Access to Financing Project is not just a technical project, but an investment for the future, allowing for the organization of agricultural land ownership, facilitating exploitation, and ensuring the stability of agricultural families. According to him, this project encourages investment and productivity, as organized land development opens the way to clear policies for land use and preservation of natural resources.
Call to Action
Finally, Ben Zaghden called on all concerned actors to simplify procedures and develop innovative and adapted training tools for the specificities of agricultural activity, in order to benefit small farmers in all regions.
