On October 29, 2026, regional authorities in Bizerte, Tunisia, reclaimed the public agricultural domain "Oum Hani 2" in the Kabtana sector of Menzel Bourguiba. The 47-hectare property, featuring over 4,800 olive trees, was returned to the Office des terres domaniales following a decision to revoke the previous operator's rights. According to the Bizerte governorate, the reclamation was prompted by several instances of non-compliance by the former operator.
The irregularities cited by the authorities include unauthorized severe pruning of olive trees and the unapproved sale of recovered wood. These actions led to the administration's decision to revoke the operator's rights. There is no information available on any observations or objections raised by the former operator. The recovered domain comprises 37 hectares of olive groves with over 4,800 trees and 10 hectares of unplanted agricultural land.
The "Oum Hani 2" domain boasts a significant agricultural heritage, with a substantial number of olive trees and considerable potential for future exploitation. However, details regarding annual olive production, the economic value of the operation, or potential investments required to restore it to productivity have not been disclosed. The reclaimed land has been transferred to the Office des terres domaniales pending the completion of procedures for its reallocation.
The reallocation process is yet to be scheduled, and the identity of any potential future operator remains unknown. The next critical step will be the effective reallocation of this public agricultural asset and the definition of its exploitation conditions. The governorate's decision underscores the state's efforts to monitor and regulate agricultural land use in Tunisia.
The recovered land is expected to be reassigned to a new operator, who will be responsible for its maintenance and potential expansion. The specifics of the reallocation process, including the selection criteria for the new operator and the terms of the concession, have not been announced. The case highlights the complexities of managing public agricultural resources in Tunisia.
Agricultural land management is a critical issue in Tunisia, with the government seeking to balance the needs of different stakeholders while ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources. The recovery of the "Oum Hani 2" domain demonstrates the authorities' commitment to enforcing regulations and protecting public assets. Further details on the reallocation process are expected to be announced in due course.
The Bizerte governorate's actions are part of a broader effort to optimize the use of public agricultural land in Tunisia. The case of the "Oum Hani 2" domain serves as an example of the challenges and opportunities associated with managing agricultural resources in the country. The authorities' decision to reclaim the land and reallocate it to a new operator is expected to have a positive impact on the local agricultural sector.
Key points
- 47 hectares of agricultural land and over 4,800 olive trees were recovered in Menzel Bourguiba due to exploitation irregularities.
- The recovered land has been transferred to the Office des terres domaniales pending reallocation.
- The reallocation process is expected to be completed in the near future, with a new operator to be selected and concession terms to be defined.
