En Tunisie, la culture de blé dur en irrigué est pratiquée sur une superficie moyenne annuelle de 48 700 ha, soit environ les deux tiers des superficies céréalières conduites en irrigué. Elle produit en moyenne 180 000 t, soit 20 % de la production nationale de blé dur. Cependant, les rendements réalisés restent toujours en dessous des attentes avec une faible productivité, particulièrement celle de la ressource en eau. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de ce travail est d’élaborer un diagnostic opérationnel de fonctionnement des exploitations céréalières irriguées et de mettre en exergue les principaux leviers d’amélioration des performances de la culture du blé dur. Pour ce faire, des enquêtes de terrain ont été menées auprès d’un échantillon de 698 céréaliculteurs. Les données recueillies ont permis d’élaborer une typologie de fonctionnement et d’analyser les performances de la culture du blé dur. Trois systèmes de production types ont été identifiés : un système monocultural basé sur la culture du blé dur, un système diversifié à orientation céréalière et un système diversifié à orientation maraîchère. L’analyse des performances a révélé une disparité nette entre deux niveaux de performance distincts pour chaque système de production.

In Tunisia, the development of the irrigated cereal sector plays a key role in the mitigation of the fluctuation of the rainfed production and to ensure a minimum of production. However, the archived yields remain under the expected potential performance, and the water productivity is very low. Hence, this work aims to investigate the performance of the irrigated durum wheat activity and to identify eventual determinants to improve the water productivity. To reach the objective, a field survey was carried out with a sample of 555 farmers. We adopted a data envelopment analysis approach to assess the technical efficiency and water use efficiency. A Tobit model was estimated to identify determinants of the technical performance. The results showed that the technical efficiency reached only 63%, which meant that farmers could increase the durum wheat yield from 3.5 tha⁻¹ to 4.8 tha⁻¹. The water use efficiency reached only 30%, which translates to an unwise use of the water resource. The results also showed an eventual improvement of the water productivity by more importantly saving the irrigation water rather than optimizing the production. To improve the performances, the results revealed some key determinants that could be taken into account by policy makers to implement appropriate strategies.

Women’s development organisations in rural areas of Tunisia were first created in the early 2010s, since when their number has increased steadily. These organisations have received wide-ranging support from public and non-governmental development actors, which has helped them develop but has also compromised their autonomy, i.e. their capacity to fix objectives on their own and to contact other actors only when needed to achieve their objectives. The present study analyses the development trajectory and autonomy of women’s development organisations in Siliana Governorate. Most of the activities of the nine organisations studied concern the collective production and marketing of a variety of products related to animal breeding, food, and handicrafts. Since their creation, most organisations have increased their number of members and their range of activities. In a workshop in which presidents of these organisations, their members, and administrative support staff took part, participants pointed out that the members’ technical and management skills, their willingness and ability to organise collective action play a key role in ensuring the autonomy of the organisations. Analysing the autonomy of women’s development organisations − particularly in close collaboration with their members − is a complementary approach to the one focused on solving the often-material constraints that hamper their development. This complementary approach will help focus on how to strengthen their capacity to be in the driver’s seat in defining their goals and strategies and to become fully-fledged partners of support organisations.

A Crop Model for Improvement Water Use Efficiency and Durum Wheat Production in the Siliana Region

Irrigated durum wheat is a staple food crop that occupies important areas in Tunisia. However, its performance remains weak, with an average national yield of no more than 3.6 tons ha⁻¹ and low profitability. Overall, on-farm wheat production will need to increase considerably to meet future demand and ensure minimum profitability for farmers. To this end, this study aims to identify the main levers for improving durum wheat crop performance. For this purpose, we have developed a regional bio-economic model by linking a biophysical model (CROPSYST) with an economic optimization model (MORBIT). CROPSYST was used to establish a database with a view to determining the relationships between farming practices, durum wheat yields, and water productivity within a context of high climate variability. The database was then integrated into a MORBIT model that analyzed the effects of farming practices on durum wheat performance and regional profits. Three scenarios related to irrigation control and the increase in durum wheat prices were developed. The results showed that reconciling irrigation practices with economic policies is the best alternative to improve durum wheat performance and increase profits at a regional level.

Tunisia faces significant challenges related to climate change, which deeply affect its natural and agricultural resources. This reality threatens not only food security but also the economic stability of rural communities and mainly rural women. This research aims to assess the impact of climate change on rural women in the agricultural development group in Sidi Bouzid, focusing on the strategies adopted and the support provided by various stakeholders to mitigate this impact. To achieve this, we developed a rigorous methodology that includes structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and topological analysis through Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). The results revealed that rural women were categorized into three groups based on their vulnerability to climate change: severely vulnerable, vulnerable, and adaptive. The findings highlighted the significant impact of climate change on water resources, which has increased family tensions and reduced agricultural incomes, making daily life more challenging for rural women. Furthermore, a deeper analysis of interactions with external stakeholders emphasized the important role of civil society, public organizations, and research institutions in strengthening the climate resilience of rural women. Given these findings, strategic recommendations aim to enhance stakeholder coordination, expand partnerships, and improve access to essential technologies and resources for women in agricultural development groups.