Tunisia – Tunisia announced, yesterday, Wednesday, that it plans to increase the areas allocated for grain cultivation from 972 thousand hectares in the current season (2023/2024) to 1 million and 173 thousand hectares next season.
This came in statements made by Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan, an official in the General Administration of Agricultural Production at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, during a press conference, according to the official news agency.
Ben Ramadan said, “The ministry plans to cultivate 856 thousand hectares (one hectare equals 10 thousand square meters) in the north during the 2024/2025 season, compared to 812 thousand hectares during the previous season.”
He added: “While the ministry seeks to cultivate 317 thousand hectares in the center and south, compared to 160 thousand hectares during the last season.”
He added that “hard wheat cultivation will cover 606 thousand hectares, barley 517 thousand hectares, and soft wheat 40 thousand hectares,” according to the ministry’s estimates.
According to Ben Ramadan, the country was able to “collect about 6.7 million quintals of grain during the 2023/2024 season.”
According to official figures, the country needs about 33 million quintals of grains (durum wheat, soft wheat and barley) annually to meet its needs.
Ben Ramadan said that the country “recorded a good start to the 2023/2024 agricultural season, despite the delay in the rains.”
He added: “However, the lack of rain since the second half of last March and the beginning of the rise in temperatures had a negative impact on the general condition of agriculture.”
He expressed his hope for “an improvement in rainfall during the coming months, especially October, which marks the beginning of grain cultivation.”
Since 2021, grain production has declined for climatic reasons, and its repercussions spread to the local market a few months later, as sufficient quantities of wheat used in bread production were not available.
The government resorted to imports, but it faced obstacles, most notably the economic crisis the country is going through and the repercussions of the war that has been ongoing since 2022 between Russia and Ukraine, two of the world’s most prominent grain suppliers.
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2024-09-12 07:53:25
What measures are being implemented in Tunisia to increase its grain cultivation areas and meet annual grain needs?
Table of Contents
Tunisia’s Ambitious Plan to Boost Grain Production
In a bid to increase its grain production, Tunisia has announced plans to expand its grain cultivation areas from 972,000 hectares in the current season (2023/2024) to 1,173,000 hectares next season. This move is expected to help the country meet its annual grain needs, which stand at approximately 33 million quintals.
Agricultural Production in Tunisia
Agriculture plays a vital role in Tunisia’s economy, with the country producing a range of crops, including wheat, milk, tomatoes, barley, and olives [[1]]. In fact, Tunisia is known for its olive oil production, which is a significant contributor to the country’s agricultural sector.
Grain Production in Focus
According to Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan, an official in the General Administration of Agricultural Production at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, the country plans to cultivate 856,000 hectares in the north during the 2024/2025 season, up from 812,000 hectares in the previous season. Additionally, the ministry aims to cultivate 317,000 hectares in the center and south, compared to 160,000 hectares during the last season.
Breakdown of Grain Production
Tunisia’s grain production is expected to be divided into three main categories: hard wheat, barley, and soft wheat. Hard wheat cultivation will cover 606,000 hectares, barley 517,000 hectares, and soft wheat 40,000 hectares, according to the ministry’s estimates.
Current Season’s Performance
Despite the delay in rains, Tunisia has recorded a good start to the 2023/2024 agricultural season. The country was able to collect about 6.7 million quintals of grain during the current season. However, the lack of rain since the second half of last March and the beginning of the rise in temperatures had a negative impact on the general condition of agriculture.
International Support
Tunisia has received support from international organizations, such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which has financed 14 rural development projects in the country, totaling US$215.67 million and benefiting 142,650 households [[3]].
Conclusion
Tunisia’s plan to increase its grain production is a step in the right direction, given the country’s reliance on agricultural production. With the support of international organizations and a focus on improving agricultural conditions, Tunisia is well on its way to achieving its goal of becoming self-sufficient in grain production.
References
Tunisia’s Ambitious Plan to Boost Grain Production
In a bid to increase its grain production, Tunisia has announced plans to expand its grain cultivation areas from 972,000 hectares in the current season (2023/2024) to 1,173,000 hectares next season. This move is expected to help the country meet its annual grain needs, which stand at approximately 33 million quintals.
Agricultural Production in Tunisia
Agriculture plays a vital role in Tunisia’s economy, with the country producing a range of crops, including wheat, milk, tomatoes, barley, and olives [1]. In fact, Tunisia is known for its olive oil production, which is a significant contributor to the country’s agricultural sector.
Grain Production in Focus
According to Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan, an official in the General Administration of Agricultural Production at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, the country plans to cultivate 856,000 hectares in the north during the 2024/2025 season, up from 812,000 hectares in the previous season. Additionally, the ministry aims to cultivate 317,000 hectares in the center and south, compared to 160,000 hectares during the last season.
Breakdown of Grain Production
Tunisia’s grain production is expected to be divided into three main categories: hard wheat, barley, and soft wheat. Hard wheat cultivation will cover 606,000 hectares, barley 517,000 hectares, and soft wheat 40,000 hectares, according to the ministry’s estimates.
Current Season’s Performance
Despite the delay in rains, Tunisia has recorded a good start to the 2023/2024 agricultural season. The country was able to collect about 6.7 million quintals of grain during the current season. However
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