President of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed, met Monday, June 3, 2024, at Carthage Palace Abdelmonem Belati, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, and Ridha Gabouj, Secretary of State for Water.
This meeting focused on several critical topics concerning agriculture and water management in Tunisia.
Improvement of wheat harvests
The President and officials examined promising prospects for this year’s hard and soft wheat crops, thanks to recent beneficial rains.
Kais Saïed voiced optimism about a significant improvement in the agricultural situation.
Water resources management
The meeting likewise discussed the state of water reserves in the country’s dams. Kaïs Saïed underscored the necessity to maintain the dams, some of which are silted up, thus reducing their storage capacity.
The president attributed the current difficulties to decades of neglect and the effect of climate change, for which Tunisia is a victim rather than responsible.
Seawater desalination projects
Seawater desalination projects were another fundamental point of discussion. Some installations, such as those in Zarzis and Sfax, are almost complete, with others in Mahdia and Djerba underway.
These initiatives are critical to responding to the water challenges in Tunisia.
Reform of hydraulic associations
The issue of water associations was addressed, with a call to reform the legal framework to fix water supply problems caused by inadequate management.
The President insisted on the need to put an end to these dysfunctions.
Recovery of the fodder sector
Kaïs Saïed also insisted on the significance of restarting the National Fodder Office to combat monopolistic practices that have harmed farmers and breeders, negatively impacting milk production and the availability of livestock products.
Agriculture in desert regions
Finally, the President underscored the potential of agriculture in the Tunisian desert regions, mentioning the successes of Rejim Maatoug and Mdhila, where arid lands have been transformed into areas producing not only dates and olive trees but also various vegetables and fruits.
A commitment to the future
This meeting reaffirms the Tunisian government’s dedication to overcoming agricultural and hydraulic challenges, by implementing sustainable and innovative solutions to ensure a prosperous and stable future for all Tunisians.
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