Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries Reveals Plans for 2026
The Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, Azzedine Ben Cheikh, has announced a series of projects in the field of water resources to be implemented in 2026. These efforts aim to ensure sustainable and efficient management of water resources in the face of climate challenges and pressure on these resources. This initiative is part of a national policy to provide drinking water, support economic development, and preserve environmental balances.
Ongoing and Future Projects
According to the Minister's statements during a plenary dialogue session held at the National Council of Regions and Districts, 2026 will see the continuation of surface water resource mobilization. This includes ongoing projects such as:
- The construction of the Mellègue Upper dam
- The creation of reservoirs in Saïda and Kalaâ Kebira
- The Douimis dam
- Maintenance of the Barbara dam water transfer system
- The continuation of the flood protection project in the lower valley of the Oued Medjerda
Large-scale future projects have also been programmed for the period 2026-2030, including:
- The creation of 4 new dams (Siliana 1, Boulaaba, Mâleh Upper, and Raghay)
- The construction of 10 hillside dams
- The realization of the Siliana dam project and the transfer of water from the Barbara dam to the governorates of Siliana and Kef
Non-Conventional Water Resources and Climate Monitoring
A program for mobilizing non-conventional water resources has been developed, including seawater desalination. The Ministry is also working on real-time monitoring of climate and hydrological data by modernizing measurement stations and strengthening water quality protection and pollution control programs in major hydrographic basins.
Plan to Address Peak Consumption and Network Improvement
Regarding drinking water and addressing peak consumption, the Minister indicated that a plan has been prepared and implemented to secure supply, with a total cost of around 55 million dinars. This plan includes:
- Drilling new wells
- Reinforcing water supply and distribution networks
- Intensifying network maintenance
The National Society for Exploitation and Distribution of Water (SONEDE) has future projects that include:
- A network improvement program with an acceleration of network modernization at a rate of 1000 km per year starting from 2026
- A program to improve energy efficiency and energy transition
Rural Water Supply and Sanitation
A rural water supply program is being implemented at a cost of around 405 million dinars, as well as a program to sanitize rural schools at a cost of approximately 46 million dinars. The latter has already covered 1162 schools, benefiting 162,000 students and educational staff.
Irrigation Sector Development
In the irrigation sector, the Ministry is working on a project to enhance irrigated areas through value chain development, estimated at 198 million dinars. Other projects include:
- Intensification of irrigated agriculture in Tunisia
- Modernization of irrigated areas in the lower basin of the Oued Medjerda
- Use of treated water for irrigation
- Replacement of deep wells in southern Tunisia and the creation of an oasis hub in Bordj Bourguiba (Tataouine)
Ben Cheikh added that the Ministry of Agriculture is collaborating with higher education institutions to conduct various experiments, such as cloud seeding, evaporation reduction, and the use of modern technologies in instant measurements and irrigation.
