Bayer Reinforces Its Commitment to Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture in Tunisia
Present in Tunisia for more than three decades, Bayer is deepening its support for a greener, climate‑ready farming sector. In a round‑table held yesterday with media representatives, senior leaders of the Crop Science division outlined the company’s vision for helping Tunisian growers tackle climate change, water scarcity, and food‑security challenges through innovation, training, and digital solutions.
Key Speakers
- Amina L’Kima – General Manager & North Africa Commercial Lead, Crop Science
- Hajar Dinar – Country Communications Lead, North Africa
- Hanen Chebaane – Bayer Tunisia Office Representative & Sales Operation Liaison, Tunisia
All three highlighted the structural challenges facing North‑African—and especially Tunisian—agriculture, as well as the solutions Bayer intends to develop to support farmers.
An Integrated Approach Built on Three Pillars
- Agronomic Performance – Boost yields and crop quality.
- Natural‑Resource Preservation – Protect water, soil, and biodiversity.
- Economic Viability – Ensure farms remain profitable and competitive.
“In North Africa, farmers confront major structural challenges that demand sustainable, tailored solutions. Our responsibility, as a long‑standing regional player, is to foster dialogue, up‑skill the sector, and back an agricultural model that can withstand climate pressures while creating value for value chains,” said Amina L’Kima.
Bayer at a Glance
- Operates in more than 55 countries across life‑science sectors (human health and agriculture).
- Crop Science develops crop‑protection products, seeds, and yield‑enhancing innovations that limit environmental impact.
“Our North‑African hub is based in Casablanca and serves Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Yet each market is distinct. Morocco is export‑oriented, Algeria has vast cultivated areas, while Tunisian farms are often smaller but technologically advanced,” L’Kima added.
- Market size (approx.)
- Tunisia: €40 million (phytosanitary products)
- Morocco: > €100 million
- Algeria: ≈ €90 million
Despite its modest size, the Tunisian market is strategic because of high‑value export chains such as olive oil, dates, certain citrus varieties, and tomatoes.
Training & Farmer Support
- ~2,000 farmers and agri‑professionals receive annual training on responsible input use, safety, and environmental protection.
- Target audiences range from agronomists and agricultural technicians to field operators who apply phytosanitary products.
“Our priority is to stand beside farmers—on the ground, in training rooms, through technical assistance, and by gradually introducing more sustainable practices. Partnerships with institutes, universities, and professional bodies amplify our impact on sector durability and performance,” explained Hanen Chebaane.
What the training includes
- On‑site sessions at farms or nearby community centers.
- Emphasis on safe handling of chemicals.
- Distribution of personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, coveralls) to lower health and environmental risks.
Distribution network
- Bayer works with a local distributor network that covers the entire Tunisian territory.
- These partners have technical‑sales teams that provide close‑by support to growers in every agricultural region.
Research collaborations
- Joint projects with Tunisian scientific and technical institutions (specialised technical centres, research institutes, universities).
- Aim: Applied research to test innovations under local conditions and fine‑tune solutions for Tunisian farms.
“The goal is to ensure our products meet the specific needs of Tunisian growers,” reiterated Chebaane.
Digital Agriculture – A Transformational Lever
Bayer is actively developing digital agriculture tools that help farmers optimise farm management through:
- Data analytics
- Satellite imagery
- Decision‑support systems
These technologies advise on the optimal timing for sowing, irrigation, and phytosanitary treatments based on climate data and crop status.
“The dual objective is to raise agricultural performance while cutting input use and environmental impact. Some of these technologies are already deployed in Europe and Morocco; in Tunisia they are still being explored and adapted to local realities,” said Hajar Dinar.
Collaboration with Tunisian AgriTech startups
- Bayer is scouting local agritech startups to co‑develop digital solutions tailored to the national market.
- The collaborative model blends Bayer’s technological expertise with the on‑the‑ground knowledge of Tunisian innovators.
“We are identifying innovative startups and initiatives to work with. The aim is to co‑create solutions that truly address Tunisian farmers’ needs,” the company’s representatives noted.
Looking Ahead: 2030 Vision
- Expand digital services to reach a larger share of farms across Tunisia.
- Continue rolling out training and awareness programmes.
- Accelerate development of biological products and biostimulants that enhance crop resilience to climate stress.
By 2030, Bayer aims to make its digital tools widely accessible, while maintaining a strong focus on farmer education and sustainable agronomic practices.
For more information on Bayer’s initiatives in Tunisia and North Africa, visit the official Bayer website or contact the local office.
