$ 149 million plan for irrigated agriculture

In Tunisia, the irrigated area has increased from 50 000 hectares in the 1960s to 435 000 hectares currently. With the implementation of the new plan, the reliability and efficiency of irrigation systems will be increased.

 

 

 

A project to intensify irrigated agriculture has just been launched in Tunis. The cost is $ 149 million, of which $ 140 million is financed by the World Bank.

 

 

 

Aimed at improving the management of water resources and creating economic opportunities, this project targets the regions of Beja, Bizerte, Jendouba, Nabeul, Sfax and Siliana. One of the major focuses of the project is the rehabilitation of irrigation systems to increase their reliability and efficiency.

 

 

 

In a country threatened by water stress, the rationalization of water consumption is imperative. The agricultural sector uses 80% of the total water consumed in Tunisia. The losses caused by the dilapidated irrigation systems are estimated at 40% of the water used.

 

 

 

Irrigated areas represent only 8% of the agricultural area of ​​Tunisia, but they contribute about 37% to the total value of agricultural production and about 20% to the value of exports.