Tunisian Agriculture Minister Azeddine Ben Sheikh chaired a working session to discuss the distribution of seeds and fertilizers and ways to improve the management of these inputs. The session aimed to evaluate the current system and explore mechanisms to enhance its efficiency. Ben Sheikh emphasized the importance of expanding irrigated areas and adopting a bioclimatic map to distribute high-quality seeds. This approach is expected to support agricultural production and improve yields.
The working session brought together representatives from relevant administrations and structures to assess the current state of the supply and distribution system. The discussions focused on developing mechanisms to improve the management of agricultural inputs, ensuring their availability, and directing them to farmers in a timely manner. The goal is to optimize the use of available resources, support productivity, and guarantee a smooth agricultural season.
Ben Sheikh stressed the need to prioritize the expansion of irrigated areas and enhance the use of available water resources. He highlighted that this is a crucial aspect of supporting agricultural production, improving yields, and increasing production capacity. The minister also emphasized the importance of rationalizing water resource utilization and ensuring its sustainability.
The adoption of a bioclimatic map for Tunisia is seen as a key reference for developing a strategy for distributing high-quality seeds and selecting suitable varieties. This approach takes into account the country's climatic and environmental specificities, enabling the selection of varieties that are more resilient to prevailing climate conditions. By adopting this approach, Tunisia aims to mitigate the risks associated with climate fluctuations and improve crop yields.
Regarding the distribution of seeds and fertilizers, Ben Sheikh called for improved planning, enhanced distribution mechanisms, and ensuring that these inputs reach farmers on time and in sufficient quantities. He also emphasized the need for better coordination among stakeholders and monitoring of the distribution process to meet farmers' needs and prevent disruptions to the agricultural season.
The minister also highlighted the importance of establishing a performance monitoring and evaluation guide for stakeholders involved in the grain system. This guide is expected to enhance coordination, clarify roles and responsibilities, and assess performance. Additionally, it will facilitate the exchange of information among stakeholders and ensure that data is available in a timely manner to support informed decision-making.
The Tunisian government is taking steps to support the agricultural sector, including expanding irrigated areas and improving the distribution of seeds and fertilizers. These efforts aim to enhance agricultural productivity, improve yields, and ensure a smooth agricultural season. The adoption of a bioclimatic map is seen as a key strategy in achieving these goals.
Key points
- The Tunisian government aims to expand irrigated areas and adopt a bioclimatic map to distribute high-quality seeds and support agricultural production.
