President of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed, Receives Minister of Agriculture
The President of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed, received Mr. Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, on Monday, October 6, at the Carthage Palace.
Discussion Topics
The meeting covered several topics, including the good preparation of the upcoming olive harvest campaign, after God blessed our country with beneficial rains, ending several years of drought. This year's harvest is expected to be exceptional, reaching a record level.
Organization and Exportation
The Head of State emphasized the need for rigorous organization from now on, so that the operations of olive picking, pressing, and marketing, both on the local market and for export, take place in the best conditions. He gave instructions not to limit themselves to traditional markets, recalling that many countries in Asia and South America have expressed their willingness to import Tunisian olive oil. He also highlighted the importance of finding financing mechanisms for the packaging of this national product, estimating that the country's wealth must bear its name, which will have positive repercussions on many other sectors and contribute to the diversification of Tunisia's strategic partnerships.
Support for Small Farmers
The President also stressed the need for better support for small farmers, not only at the level of harvesting, pressing, and marketing but in all areas. He recalled that food security is an integral part of national security, from the preservation of local seeds to the exploitation of vast agricultural lands capable of producing the best varieties of agricultural products.
Revitalization of Public Offices
Furthermore, the President of the Republic called for renewed efforts to restore the initial role of public offices created in the past, such as the Grain Office, the Fodder Office, the Oil Office, and the Livestock and Pastures Office. He lamented the regression that most of them have experienced, estimating that the measures taken so far remain insufficient and below expectations. Certain offices have almost disappeared due to the control of certain lobbies over strategic sectors, a consequence of policies implemented since the beginning of the 1990s under the pretext of "upgrading enterprises".
A Green Tunisia
The President of the Republic finally reaffirmed that efforts are continuing to make Tunisia a green country, from north to south and from east to west, a Tunisia free from all cartels and their accomplices. He emphasized that the best "antibiotic" against these deviations remains the consciousness of our people and the realization of all their aspirations in the shortest possible time.
