The Devastating Impact of Drought on Agriculture and Water Resources
Tunisia, a country known for its varied landscapes and flourishing agriculture, is undergoing a major climatic crisis. Persistent drought has put water resources and agricultural systems to the test, profoundly redefining the daily lives of Tunisians.
How drought is transforming agriculture and everyday life
The Drought: Context and Evolution
Since 2015, Tunisia has been facing a severe drought that has lasted until 2023. This period was marked by a 30% drop in precipitation compared with historical levels. In 2022, some regions recorded rainfall of less than 200 mm, while the national average is around 400 mm per year. This significant drop in precipitation has exacerbated the country’s water and agricultural management challenges.
Impact on agriculture: a drastic drop in production
Agriculture, a crucial sector accounting for around 10% of Tunisia’s GDP, has been hard hit. In 2021, cereal production fell by 50% compared with the previous year, resulting in an economic loss of 1.5 billion Tunisian dinars (around 500 million euros). This drastic reduction has caused food prices to rise, worsening food security for many Tunisian families.
Impact on Water Resources: An Alarming Situation
The availability of water resources has also been severely affected. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, dam storage capacity has fallen to just 40% of full capacity by 2023. This has led to severe water restrictions for irrigation, impacting nearly 1.2 million farmers. Water shortages jeopardize not only crops but also the economic survival of farms.
Challenges and Impacts of Drought in Tunisia: Comprehensive Analysis of the 2015-2023 Period
This Note aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the recurrence of droughts in Tunisia, in order to better anticipate their impacts and implement appropriate measures.
Towards a Sustainable Solution: Adaptation and Resilience Strategies
To address this crisis, it is crucial to explore solutions that improve the resilience of agricultural systems and the management of water resources. Potential solutions include :
Adopting Resilient Farming Techniques: Implement agricultural practices adapted to drought conditions.
Improving water storage infrastructures: strengthening storage capacities to better manage resources in times of shortage.
Promoting Water Management Policies: Develop robust policies for more efficient water management.
Stakeholders must work together to develop innovative and sustainable strategies to minimize the future impacts of drought.
A call to action
The prolonged drought in Tunisia represents a major challenge requiring a coordinated and proactive response. A better understanding of the causes and impacts of this crisis is essential in order to implement appropriate measures. By working together, it is possible to support the affected communities and strengthen the country’s resilience to these extreme conditions. For a more in-depth analysis, see the full analytical note on the 2022-2023 agricultural year drought in Tunisia.
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This article was edited by Dr. Najla Dhen, Digital Knowledge Officer and Rural Service Provider Coach within the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in North Africa (KHNA) Project. She is a postdoctoral researcher with a PhD in Plant Production, specializing in Organic Agriculture.”
Author: Feten Aissaoui
My name is Feten Aissaoui. I am a Doctor in “ Agronomic Sciences and Environment ” speciality “Biotechnology and Plant Production”. Actually, I'm the Knowledge Manager of Tunisia within the project of Knowledge Hub of Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in North Africa (KHNA) in the global project “Knowledge Center for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Africa (KCOA) ”.
