The agricultural sector in Tunisia is subject to various laws and regulations that are being developed to promote the sector, simplify procedures, and overcome legislative obstacles. The goal is to achieve economic growth, encourage young investors to engage in the sector, and create jobs. The 2026 finance law has allocated 100 million dinars to encourage investment in agricultural sectors, including 80 million dinars for crop production, 7.7 million dinars for the water sector, and 12.3 million dinars for fishing and aquaculture.
According to Khaled Hakim Mabrouki, deputy head of the parliamentary agriculture committee, the parliament has approved a bill to reschedule agricultural debts, which aims to settle the bank debts of farmers and agricultural institutions classified as category 4 or higher by the Central Bank of Tunisia. The bill involves rescheduling the entire principal debt and original contractual interest. Mabrouki added that another bill to regulate the status of deep random wells is expected to be considered during the current parliamentary session.
Mabrouki also mentioned that the committee will consider other bills related to the agricultural sector, including a 1995 bill to regulate the status of international agricultural real estate. He added that the committee has approved the bill and will schedule a hearing to discuss it. Additionally, a bill on the reuse and reassignment of exploited international agricultural land is also on the agenda.
In terms of oversight, Mabrouki stated that the committee will prepare new visions for major crops, date palm cultivation, storage capacity, and marketing. The committee will also examine the issue of fertilizer availability during a hearing with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries at the end of the month.
Mabrouki emphasized that Tunisia ranks high in terms of quality for olive oil, dates, and other products. He also announced that the committee will hold a hearing to discuss the issue of rising white meat prices and availability with professionals and concerned authorities.
Mabrouki stressed the need to keep pace with technological developments in productivity and to develop a comprehensive strategy to boost agricultural systems. This includes providing excellent seeds, utilizing scientific research to retrieve original Tunisian seeds, and implementing awareness programs to reduce chemical fertilizers and promote natural soil fertility.
The strategy aims to support food security and promote sustainable agriculture practices. The parliamentary agriculture committee is committed to working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries to develop and implement policies that benefit the sector and the country as a whole.
Key points
- The Tunisian parliament has approved a bill to reschedule agricultural debts to support farmers and agricultural institutions.
- A comprehensive strategy is being developed to boost the agricultural sector, focusing on promoting investment, simplifying procedures, and achieving food security.
- The parliamentary agriculture committee will examine various bills related to the agricultural sector, including those on international agricultural real estate and the reuse of exploited land.
