Tunisian Farmer Leader Demands Abrogation of 2022 Decree on Agricultural Land Rentals

On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Zakia El Hadj Abdallah, President of the National Coordination of Agricultural Lots, strongly called for the repeal of the joint decree of 2022. This text, co-signed by the Ministries of Agriculture and State Domains, concerns the revision of the value of agricultural land rentals, a measure that the leader describes as purely abusive.

According to Madame El Hadj Abdallah, who spoke on the radio, the financial burden on farmers has become unbearable, especially since rents are already subject to automatic indexing. She advocates for a return to preferential tariffs, estimating that the price of state-owned land rentals should retain a symbolic character and never exceed market prices.

The President also took the opportunity to address the authorities on the application of existing legislation. She requested the activation of Article 815 of the Code of Obligations and Contracts, which provides for the exemption of rental fees during years of agricultural calamities or drought. This demand is accompanied by an urgent call for the renewal of contracts that have expired, as many farmers are facing chronic debt that threatens the sustainability of their activity.

To get out of this impasse, the guest proposes a more structural reform by suggesting opening the way to the definitive transfer of these plots. According to her, this strategy would allow the children of current farmers, often graduates of higher education, to take over and revitalize the sector. Such a measure would be an effective lever to value the state's real estate assets while concretely fighting youth unemployment.