Marwa Bouaziz is a passionate agricultural engineer who embodies a vision of organic farming that is far more ambitious than a simple method of cultivation. For her, it’s a way of life, rooted in a deep respect for nature and ecosystems.
At a conference on the importance of organic products in Tunisia and flagship products for export.
Her career took a major turn when she took part in the Natexpo trade fair in Paris, a key event in the field of organic farming.
This event marked the start of a mission that is particularly close to her heart: promoting good practice in organic farming.
Encouraging farmers to make the transition to sustainability
One of Marwa’s greatest satisfactions is her ability to guide farmers towards more sustainable practices while maintaining their profitability. She supports conventional farmers in their transition to sustainable organic farming and closely monitors several organic farms. Maroua regularly organises exchange meetings, creating spaces for sharing ideas and best practice. These collaborative moments are essential for developing common knowledge and progressing together towards more environmentally-friendly agriculture.
Commitment to rural women
Marwa is also involved in initiatives to support rural women. Through her involvement in the ‘EFFOR’ programme and the ‘Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in North Africa (KHNA)’ project, she has worked with women who run Groupements de Développement Agricole (GDAs), some of which are certified organic and export-oriented. As part of this work, she carried out a gender diagnosis, a key tool for integrating an equitable approach into the development of these projects. These experiences have strengthened its commitment to sustainable and inclusive agriculture.
The guide to promoting gender equality, developed as part of the ‘Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Africa (KCOA)’ project by GIZ in collaboration with the five gender focal points in the five regions of Africa (North, Central, East, West and Southern), represents an innovative approach to strengthening the participation of women in the agricultural sector.
The guide provides practical tools, guidelines and case studies to help identify and address the root causes of gender inequalities in this area.
Raising awareness among the younger generation
Convinced that the future of agriculture lies in education, Marwa is also committed to raising awareness among children. She explains to them the benefits of organic produce and the dangers of pesticides, sowing the seeds of environmental awareness from an early age. This passion for sharing and passing on values is what drives her to work for a healthier, more respectful agricultural world, involving both current and future generations.
A vision of a sustainable and equitable future
Through all these actions, Marwa Bouaziz is convinced that organic farming can play a decisive role in building a more sustainable and equitable future. She is particularly committed to involving rural women, who play a crucial role in this shift towards more environmentally-friendly farming.
Author: NAJLA DHEN
Digital Knowledge Officer and Rural Service Provider Coach within the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in North Africa (KHNA) Project. Postdoctoral researcher, PhD on Plant production-Organic agriculture.
