Tunisia Must Rethink Its Agricultural Production Model to Ensure Food Security and Preserve Natural Resources
In a context marked by the intensification of climate change, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region's Greenpeace organization is calling for a transition to more sustainable agricultural systems. According to Greenpeace, Tunisia must fundamentally rethink its agricultural production model to ensure both food security and the preservation of its natural resources.
Water Scarcity and Agricultural Pressure
Tunisia is facing increasing pressure on its water resources, with the agricultural sector consuming over 75% of the country's available water, one of the highest rates in the region. Meanwhile, the country's renewable water resources per capita are estimated to be around 470 cubic meters per year, below the international threshold for water scarcity.
Food Security: A Strategic Choice
In an interview with the Tunisian news agency TAP, Greenpeace MENA campaign manager Ines Ben Zaaki emphasized that food security in Tunisia is no longer a theoretical debate, but a strategic and sovereign choice. She welcomed the Tunisian authorities' orientation towards strengthening wheat self-sufficiency, particularly through the expansion of irrigated crops and the valorization of local production.
Challenges and Opportunities
However, Ben Zaaki highlighted that the expansion of irrigated agriculture in a context of water stress must be accompanied by a reduction in energy costs and an improvement in production system efficiency. She noted that reducing energy and irrigation costs would allow for stable food prices and increased household purchasing power.
Renewable Energy and Sustainable Agriculture
Ben Zaaki emphasized the central role of renewable energy, particularly solar energy, in transforming the agricultural sector. These solutions would enable the reduction of pressure on water resources and energy dependence, while providing a stable alternative to fluctuations in fuel prices and power outages.
Solar Irrigation and Agrivoltaïsme
The use of solar irrigation combined with digital technologies, such as smart sensors, would allow for more precise water management based on real soil and crop needs, reducing waste and improving productivity. The concept of agrivoltaïsme, which combines agricultural production and electricity generation on the same surface, has also been presented as a promising solution.
Regulation and Governance
However, Greenpeace is calling for strict regulation of solar pumping to avoid over-exploitation of groundwater, particularly in arid areas. The organization recommends the establishment of water governance systems, including extraction quotas, smart meters, and better valorization of treated wastewater.
Investing in Renewable Energy for Agriculture
Ben Zaaki estimates that integrating these solutions could enable irrigation efficiency rates of up to 90% in drip irrigation systems, compared to around 50% in traditional systems. She emphasizes that investing in renewable energy for agriculture is not only an environmental choice but also a lever for food sovereignty, economic stability, and social stability.
Government Response
Tunisian Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries Ezzedine Ben Cheikh has announced a series of measures to strengthen the country's food security. On the occasion of National Agriculture Day, he presented a national strategy to achieve wheat self-sufficiency based on the provision of improved seeds and the expansion of irrigated cereal crops.
Investments and Digital Platforms
The minister announced exceptional investments in the water sector in 2026, including the drilling of new wells, modernization of irrigation networks, and strengthening of desalination stations. He also launched a digital platform for managing public water resources and a real-time information system to improve decision-making and water situation monitoring.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tunisia must fundamentally rethink its agricultural production model to ensure both food security and the preservation of its natural resources. Greenpeace's recommendations and the government's response highlight the need for a transition to more sustainable agricultural systems, including the use of renewable energy, digital technologies, and efficient water management.
