The Tunisian Farmers' Union has called on the legislative and executive authorities to provide more support to farmers and fishermen, and to adopt measures to protect national production systems. The union's national executive office made the appeal after a meeting in Tunis, stressing the need for concerted efforts to ensure a successful 2026-2027 crop season. The union wants the government to provide the necessary resources for farmers to succeed.
The union emphasized the importance of securing inputs for production, such as seeds and fertilizers, and ensuring their timely distribution to beneficiaries. This, it said, would prevent hoarding and speculation, and provide a favorable environment for the season's success. The union also renewed its call for a higher reference price for grains to give farmers a clear vision and encourage them to expand cultivated areas.
In a related development, the union stressed the need for early coordination between stakeholders to ensure the availability of financial resources for date storage, marketing, and export. This would help manage the date harvest effectively, balance supply and demand, and stabilize prices. The union wants to ensure the sustainability of the date production system and its continued contribution to the national economy.
The union expressed its rejection of unregulated imports of fruits and vegetables, citing their potential impact on national production systems and farmers' interests. It called for a review of the import approach to meet market needs without harming local production and protecting farmers from unfair competition. The union wants to ensure the continuity of agricultural activities and production.
Regarding olive oil production, the union is monitoring global market trends and advising producers to be cautious when harvesting and marketing their products. It urged the Olive Oil Board to play its national role in monitoring market developments and taking necessary measures to maintain price stability and protect producers' interests.
In the fisheries sector, the union expressed disappointment that professionals were excluded from technical committees dealing with maritime affairs. It stressed that the presence of professionals and their representatives in consultation and decision-making processes is essential for effective decisions that reflect the reality on the ground. The union rejected unilateral decisions that could harm the public maritime service and professionals' interests.
The union reiterated its commitment to dialogue and consultation, advocating for a participatory approach to addressing sectoral issues. It emphasized the importance of cooperation between all stakeholders to ensure the success of agricultural and fisheries sectors, which are critical to the national economy. The union's appeals reflect the concerns of farmers and fishermen in Tunisia.
Key points
- Tunisian Farmers' Union calls for government support to protect national production systems
- Union wants to ensure availability of financial resources for date storage, marketing, and export
- Union rejects unregulated imports of fruits and vegetables to protect local production
