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CIHEAM

Advanced Specialized Course on

“Sustainable Agriculture”

REPORT

Diversification of farming systems and livelihoods

by Zakaria Agricultural development group

in the rural community of Hammat Aljarid

south-western Tunisia

Mojib BAHRI

Tunisia

Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari

Academic Year 2010-2011

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This report does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on

the part of the CIHEAM - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari.

It reports the author’s opinions.

Bari : CIHEAM/MAIB, June 2011

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Table of contents Page

Acknowledgement…………………………………………………………………… Lists of figures and tables…………………………………………………….……… Abbreviations………………………………………………………………………… Abstract………………………………………………………………………………. I- Chapter 01: Background concepts……………………………...………………….

I-1-Research context…………………………………………………………. I-2-Tunisian Oasis agriculture………………...……………………………... I-3- Oasis agriculture in the research zone…………………………...………

II- Chapter 02: Objectives of the investigation………………………………...…..... II-1- Innovation screening…………………………………………..……….. II-2- Innovation mapping…………………………………………………….. II-3- Innovation reporting …………………………….……………………... III- Chapter 03: Territorial and sector description………………………………….... III-1- Territorial description…………………………….……………… …... III-1-1- Geography and human resources of the research zone………

III-1-2- Climate…………………………………………………… … III-1-3- Hydraulic resources……………………...…………… ……. III-1-4- Soil resources………………………………………………...

III-2- Sector description: oasis agriculture in Zakaria agricultural development group…………………………………………………………...

IV- Chapter 04: Methodology…………………..………………………… ………... IV-1- Preparatory phase…………………………………..…………… ……. IV-2- Screening phase…………………………………..…………… ……... IV-3- Mapping phase……………………………..…………………. ……… IV-4- Tools applied …………………..……………….………. …………… V- Chapter 05: Results…………………………..………………………….. ………

V-1- Transition from the mono-variety palm dates orchard to the bio- diversified farming system…………………………………………………...

V-2- Abandonment of bio-diversity and its impacts………………………… V-3- Return of diversification and transition from the collective interest association to Zakaria Agricultural Development Group…………………….

VI- Chapter 06: Discussion..........................................................................................

VI-1- Discussion of the technical innovation: Bio-diversification of the oasis farming system………………………………………………………… VI-2- Discussion about the social innovation: Zakaria Agricultural development group…………………………………………………………... VI-2- Analysis of the relation between the technical and the social innovation…………………………………………………………………….

VII- Conclusion…………………...…………………………………………………. References…………………………………………………………………………… Annexes………………………………………………………………………………

01 02 03 04

05 05 06 06

07 07 07 07

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10 10 10 10 11

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25 27 28

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank all those who gave me the chance to have this course. All staff of MAIB Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) Department, especially:

� Roberto Capone, MAIB Principal Administrator � Lamberto Lamberti, SARD department officer � Hamid El Bilali, SARD department consultant � Virginia Belsanti, SARD department consultant

All online tutors: Keselj Olga, Abdallah Elsoofi Iman and Tegene Negesse Aychiluhim All administrative and pedagogic staff of MAIB… All lecturers and experts which gave me so much knowledge during this course… All the course colleagues which I was pleased to know Thanks are addressed also to:

� Bahaeddine Jradi: General director of Agricultural training and extension agency of Tunisia (“AVFA” Tunisie)

� Salem Belgassem: Director of Professional vocational training center of Gafsa-Tunisia

� Ahmed Namsi: researcher in the Research center in oasis agriculture of Degache

Special thanks are for farmers of Zakaria agricultural development group in Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia, and all colleagues from governmental Tunisian institutions Thanks for coordinators of Tunisian NGO: AID (Appui aux initiatives de développement) and Spanish NGO: CERAI (Centro de estudios rurales y agricultura internacional) which helped me to collect information in the research zone

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LISTS OF FIGURES AND TABLES

List of figures

Fig 01: Geography of the study zone Fig 02: Satellite photo of Hammat Aljarid south-western Tunisia Fig 03: Innovation system scheme Fig 04: Historical time line of Zakaria oasis Fig 05: Satellite photo of Zakaria ADG Fig 06: Two neighbouring plots showing an abandoned one on the right and a well managed one on the left Fig 07: Profitability of 01 “bowl” cultivated in Zakaria oasis Fig 08: From top to bottom and from left to right: 04 types of plots in Zakaria oasis: 01plot with 03 layers of cultures; 01 plot with 02 layers (Deglet Noor associated to alfalfa); 01 plot with one layer (only Deglet Noor) and 01 abandoned plot invaded by reeds. Fig 09: Plot of Mehrez Ben Mohamed Radhwani the president of the ADG, showing diversity and a good conception and management of his plot. Fig 10: Bio-diversification degrees in Zakaria oasis Fig 11: Venn Diagram: Men perceptions for institutions related to Zakaria ADG in Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia Fig 12: Benefits analysis flow chart

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List of tables

Table 01 : List of farmers and surfaces Table 02: Drills characteristics Table 03: Institutional profile of Zakaria ADG Table 04: Rank of problems based on pairwise ranking matrix Table 05: Pairwise ranking matrix Table 06: Stakeholders Conflict and Partnership Matrix Table 07: Best bets action plan for Zakaria ADG in the rural community of Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia

27 27 17 21 29 30

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Info sheets

Info sheet 01: Collective use of agricultural machines in Zakaria agricultural development group Info sheet 02: Compost production in Beni Gharib biodynamic agricultural development group Info sheet 03: Story info sheet: Bio-diversification of farming systems and livelihoods by Zakaria Agricultural development group in the rural community of Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia

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33

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ABBREVIATIONS

ADG : Agricultural Development Group AIC : Collective Interest association APIA : Agricultural Investments Promotion Agency BNA : National Agricultural Bank CFPA : « Centre de Formation Professionnelle Agricole » : Vocational training centre CRDA: Reginoal commissariat for agricultural development CRAO: « Centre de Recherche en Agriculture Oasienne » : Research centre CSFPAAO: « Centre Sectoriel de la Formation Professionnelle Agricole en Agriculture Oasienne » : Vocational training centre GDA : « Groupement de Développement Agricole » : Agricultural Development Group NGO : Non Governmental Organization SEAGA : Socio Economic and Gender Analysis SODAD: « Société de Développement Agricole et des Dattes » STIL : « Société Tunisienne d’Industrie Laitière » STEG : « Société Tunisienne d’Electricité et Gaz »

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ABSTRACT

Sustainable agriculture can contribute to increased food production, and has a positive impact on environment and livelihoods. Local resources represent the guarantee factor for local communities, but the transition towards a more sustainable agriculture will not occur without some local and external support from institutions and organisations. Indeed a specific production system which is the Oasis one can contribute to a local socio-economic prosperity based on agriculture if many technique, environmental and socioeconomic aspects are provided. In this investigation we will see if smallholders of Zakaria oasis in the rural community of Hammat Aljarid south-western Tunisia will confirm the previous opinions.

These smallholders who manage now a ninety six years old palm date orchard in a familial way; have seen since 2001 that relying only on Deglet Noor dates production (mono-variety) couldn’t meet their financial needs and improve their livelihoods, especially when the orchard they had got from the Tunisian government in that date, was almost in an abandoned situation; so that they found the solution in diversification of production through initiatives and self reliance, by using other local varieties of palm date trees and introducing other crops as local varieties of vegetables, fruit trees, fodder crops and even breeding.

This “new” way of exploitation of the common local resources generated new incomes for farmers, created some employments and played a determinant role in conserving natural resources and local know how; but other common constraints appeared gradually (technical and socio-economical), so that farmers saw that the establishment of group work could resolve the major part of problems; and created Zakaria Agricultural Development Group.

Ten weeks screening and mapping period has been spent to understand the innovation system that was selected, which is “Bio-diversification of farming systems and livelihoods in Zakaria Agricultural development group in the rural community of

Hammat Aljarid south-western Tunisia”; in which, smallholders improved their livelihoods and preserved the local resources and know how; through initiatives, group work and some local and external support.

Key words:

• Sustainable agriculture • Local resources • Environment • Diversification • Group work

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I- BACKGROUND CONCEPTS

I-1- Research context

Agricultural sustainability can contribute to increased food production, as well as it can make a positive impact on environment. Clearly, much can be done with existing resources, but a wider transition towards a more sustainable agriculture will not occur without some external support and money. There are always transition costs in developing new or adapting old technologies, in learning to work together and in breaking free from existing patterns of thought and practice. It also costs time and money to rebuild depleted natural and social capital. Most agricultural sustainability improvements occurring in the 1990s and early 2000s appear to have arisen despite existing national and institutional policies, rather than because of them (Dasgupta 1998).

In this context, it is unclear whether progress towards more sustainable

agricultural systems will result in enough food to meet the current food needs in developing countries, let alone the future needs after continued population growth (and changed consumption patterns) and adoption of more urban and meat rich diets (Popkin 1998).

In traditional farming communities, the family farm is central to maintaining

community and to the sustainability of agricultural production. On the small farm, productive activities, labour mobilization, consumption patterns, ecological knowledge and common interests in long-term maintenance of the farm as a resource contribute to a stable and lasting economic and family-based enterprise. Work quality, management, knowledge and relationships are inter twinned and mutually reinforcing. Short-term gain at the risk of degrading essential resources not only invites community sanction, but also places the family and the farm at risk of collapse. Family farmers regularly achieve higher and more dependable production from their land than do larger farms operating in similar environments (Netting, 1993). The durability of small farm production is clear in its historical and spatial ubiquity: small farms exist in all environments, in all political and economic contexts, in all historical periods over the last 5000 years, and in every known cultural area where crops can be grown. Small farmers have developed and use a variety of technologies, crops, and farming systems.

Rather, sustainable land use should be an opportunity to improve the quality

of the environment, including its physical (increased soil fertility, better quality air and water), biological (healthier and more diverse animal, plant, and human populations), and social, economic and institutional (greater social equity, cohesion, peace/stability, well-being) components (Peter.M Rosset, 2000).

Let’s have a look abut a specific system of production which is the oasis one south-western Tunisia, and confront its real situation to what has been mentioned above.

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I-2- Tunisian Oasis agriculture

The definitions for the object "oasis" are numerous. This diversity of definitions is reflected in the diversity of the oases in the western-south of Tunisia. Oases and oasis farming systems can be defined and characterized using different approaches: geographical, bioclimatic, agronomic and socio-economic (Skouri, 1990).

� Geographically: “Oasis is defined as an island of survival (or prosperity) in

an arid environment”. � Bioclimatically: “Oasis is a microclimate created by man in an arid area

and induced by the layering of cultures”.

� Agronomically: “It is an intensive agro-system, established in an isolated

space located in a desert environment”.

� Socio-economically: “It is a place of settlement and intensive economic and

socio-cultural activities in a desert environment”.

Aljarid (governorate of Tozeur) is a thin strip of land separating two salty depressions south-western Tunisia: Chott Aljareed southward and Chott Algharsa northward. It is considered as an oasis agricultural zone. Farmland of Aljarid has an area of about 326,061 ha, which represents: 58.3% of the total area of the governorate of Tozeur. We distinguish 9330 ha of land occupied by oasis, spread between 3368 ha of old oasis (randomly planted) and 4732 ha of new ones (palm date orchards planted in lines). It remains to note that 61% of farms have an area less than one hectare and represent 19% of the irrigated area (Statistics district of “Commissariat regional de développement agricole de Tozeur”, 2003). In these oases especially the old one, fruit tree cultivations are associated to vegetable crops and fodder conduced over 03 layers:

� 1st layer: With 1.590.000 date palm trees comprising 940.000 with the variety Deglet Nour and the rest of the common varieties (Goundi, Bser, Akhouat, Alig, Kentichi...).

� 2nd layer: Various fruit trees such as pomegranate, fig, citrus, apple, pear, apricot and olive. There are about 470,000 trees.

� 3rd layer: Open field vegetables and fodder crops.

I-3- Oasis agriculture in the research zone

Hammat Aljarid is a village belonging to the delegation of Degache and to the governorate of Tozeur. Farmers are householders managing surfaces extending between “some trees” and two hectares. The major oases and orchards are considered family farms. Some of them are managing old oases and the others modern palm dates orchards. The study site is a palm date orchard called Zakaria on which an agricultural development group was created in 2007. Farmers to which this colonial ninety-six years old palm date orchard of 107 hectares attributed (by the Tunisian government); have seen since 2001 that leaning only on Deglet Noor dates production wouldn’t meet their financial needs, especially when the orchard they had got was almost in an abandoned situation.

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II- OBJECTIVES OF THE INVESTIGATION

The objectives of this investigation were to screen, map than report innovation systems in the village of Hammat Aljareed western-south Tunisia, taking into consideration its sustainability concerning environmental, economic and social aspects.

II-1- Innovation screening

The main objectives during the screening phase were to identify social and technical innovations inside the rural community of Hammat Aljarid; then to choose the most important one on which the research will be developed. Here 03 innovation systems have been identified:

� Compost production in Beni Gharib biodynamic agricultural development group south-western Tunisia (information sheet page 33).

� Collective use of agricultural machines in the agricultural development group of Zakaria in the rural community of Hammat Aljarid south-western Tunisia (information sheet page 32).

� Bio-diversification of farming systems and livelihoods by Zakaria Agricultural development group in the rural community of Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia (information sheet page 34).

II-2- Innovation mapping

During the mapping phase, I selected the best innovation system in the research zone; which is: Bio-diversification of farming systems and livelihoods by Zakaria Agricultural development group in the rural community of Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia. Once the innovation identified; many aspects about it had to be clearly understood. Here the main actors have been identified (organizations, institutions, groups, individuals) and the determinant strategies (policies, biophysical, cultural and socio-economic conditions) that contributed to its development have been understood. Then to make clear relationships between stakeholders, some of the SEAGA tools were useful.

II-3- Innovation reporting Finally during the reporting phase the interesting aspects of these innovations had to be clearly understood. Critical analysis will show what kind of reasons helped innovators to adopt their innovations? What are the impacts and outcomes generated from these innovations? What are the limits for its application? And how improvements can be identified to resolve the remaining problems they have?

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III- TERRITORIAL AND SECTOR DESCRIPTION

III-1- Territorial description

III-1-1- Geography and human resources of the research zone

Hammat Aljarid is a village

belonging to the delegation of Degache and to the governorate of Tozer, situated south-western Tunisia. It has a population of 6100 inhabitants (Tunisian governmental authorities, 2005) and it’s 10 km far from the town city Tozeur.

The study site is a 96 years old palm date orchard which has a surface of 107 ha managed nowadays by an agricultural development group Called Zakaria (Zakaria ADG) since 2007.

There are 111 farmers adherent to this ADG and they are from the village, managing surfaces between half and two hectares (the list of farmers is in annexes).

III-1-2- Climate

III-1-2-1- Precipitations and evapo-transpiration

If we choose only one number to characterize Aljareed, we probably would retain an annual average rainfall of 90 mm very irregular. Compared to an annual average evapo-transpiration of 2139 mm (Averages calculated by the Regional Meteorological Station of Tozer between 1993 and 2003), we see that the evaporative demand is 24 times higher than the supply of rainfall.

III-1-2-2- Temperatures

Aljareed is characterized by an arid climate with cold winters and very hot summers. The average annual temperature is 21.3°C. Minima are of the order of 5.3°C and maxima are about 40.4°C (Averages calculated by the Regional Meteorological Station of Tozeur between 1993 and 2003). III-1-2-3- Wind

Winds from the south and southwest, as well as northeast, blow during an average of 50 days per year and are distributed between February-March and May-June; in addition to sirocco (very hot and dry wind) which blows for 70 days in the summer.

Figure 01 : Geography of the study zone

(Source: www.connect.in.com)

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III-1-3- Hydraulic resources

Water is pumped from the terminal complex (deep water table). Three drills are mobilized to ensure the hydraulic needs of the oasis. Salinity is about 3.14g/l. The drills are considered old and failures occur frequently.

III-1-4- Soil resources

Soils of the region are sandy in the major cases and deeply reworked by human action, particularly by incorporation of organic matter in surface horizons. In the region drainage seems to be a limiting factor for both old and new oases. In the special case of Zakaria ADG, farmers had the habit to add clay periodically to their soils. This has lead to the formation of an impermeable horizon and asphyxia soils mainly in the downstream part of the oasis (saline hydromorphic soils).

III-2- Sector description: oasis agriculture in Zakaria agricultural

development group The study site is a palm date orchard of 107 ha on which Zakaria ADG was founded in 2007. This “modern” oasis in which palm dates production is the most important activity was planted by distances of 7m x 7m and with a monovariety of Deglet Noor. The production is generally sold each year on trees to the Tunisian exportation companies with low prices, through local intermediates. The Tunisian exportation companies do exportation. Palm date production is not the only economic activity in that orchard, indeed various fruit trees have been planted near palm dates ones by farmers, to offer themselves another source of incomes (olive, pomegranate, apricot, fig, citrus…). Vegetable production is also another issue with local varieties of pepper, melon, okra, corette and many leafy vegetables. For fodder, alfalfa is the main cultivated crop, in addition to spontaneous grass used to feed sheep and goats. Some farmers keep livestock on their farms and the others at home. Except for the sale of dates which is for exportation, the other products are commercialized on the local market. Some seed production is practiced to meet the needs of local farmers and some times for sell to the neighboring regions (especially okra, peppers and leafy vegetables). Farmers are doing so because they are convinced that leaning only on Deglet Noor production couldn’t meet their financial needs, especially when the dates palm sector is not yet well organized and is facing so many constraints. In this context, this monovariety dates palm orchard (Deglet Noor) is becoming now an oasis with its three floors of cultures which remind the traditional (old) oasis.

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IV- METHODOLOGIE

IV-1- Preparatory phase

The preparatory phase is the first residential phase at IAMB. The objective was to create the conditions for a successful action learning phase during which I implemented my assessment on smallholders’ agricultural innovations and innovation systems behind. Two things were important in this period: the acquisition of background knowledge and the identification of the territory to be investigated. While identified, the territory (rural community of Hammat Aljarid, south-western Tunisia) will be subject to the next two phases: screening and mapping ones.

IV-2- Screening phase

Land visits of the region were important to understand its specificities; but since I worked in the region for a period of 5 years; this step took a few days to observe changes. However it was an opportunity to collect some quantitative and qualitative data and join them to other informations that I collected since 2007/20008 when I was working as a volunteer for the project called “Valorisation of Zakaria ADG”. Then interviews with local people, responsible of regional governmental institutions, farmers, NGO responsible and commercialisation actors helped me to understand and identify where the best innovations can be found. The most important innovations have been detected in Zakaria oasis where interviews with some farmers took place in the presence of a local NGO coordinator which was working there. Secondary source information have been collected especially to understand the history of that research site.

IV-3- Mapping phase

This innovation was found in Zakaria oasis where interviews with farmers (smallholders and ex-workers of a governmental society which managed that palm date orchard for many years) took place. President and members of GDA were also interviewed. Other interviews were made with other key informants such as employees of local institutions, and one Tunisian NGO coordinator which was working there. Secondary source information (bibliography) has been collected especially to define the sector of investigation (oasis agriculture) and to understand the history of the research site. All workshops were made in a participatory way when meetings have been organised on the study site. All interviews were dealing with a historical apercu of the oasis and some of them were made using some of the SEAGA tools.

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The next information deal with names and roles of the different actors and key informants which have been interviewed:

� Farmers of Zakaria agricultural development group (Zakaria ADG) and ex workers of STIL society:

o President and farmer : Mehrez ben Mohamed Radwani o Member of ADG and farmer: Mohamed Miska o Member and farmer : Mohameded Salhi o Ex member of ADG : Mohamed Nafii o Farmer : Mohamed Nafti o Farmer :Youssef Ben Mohamed Taher o Farmer : Ali Ben Salah Ramdhani

� Pumpists (2): water distribution and infrastructure control � Regional Commissariat of agricultural development (CRDA):

o District of soil and water conservation: Chamseddine Harrabi; chief engineer

o District of rural engineering: Aida; chief engineer � Research center in oasis agriculture of Degache (CRAO) :

o Hassine ben abdallah : researcher in agronomy o Abbes Kais : researcher in agro-economy o Othman khwaldia entomology researcher o Khaldi zahrane : husbandry researcher

� Sectorial center in oasis agricultural vocational training of Degache (CSFPAAO):

o Sassi Jawadi trainer and extentionist engineer o Ahmed Boussaffa : retired trainer and extentionist technician

� NGO : « Aide aux initiatives de développement » (AID) : o Samir: actual coordinator o Hichem Salem : ex coordinator o Bouthaina ben Salem : ex agro-economist employed by AID

IV-4- Tools applied

Using some of the SEAGA Tools, I am going to analyse the environmental, economic, social and institutional patterns, and the linkages which made up the context for development in Zakaria oasis. A gender analysis will show the different roles of women and men to understand what they do, what resources they have and what their needs and priorities are. Participation is the basic rule for this investigation. The SEAGA tools which have been applied are:

For the development context: � Venn diagram for the development context of Agricultural Development

Group of Zakaria oasis and that was a men perception. � An institutional profile of the development group was also done.

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Then abut the livelihood analysis the next tool is used: � Benefit analysis flow chart of palm date trees

Finally for stakeholders' Priority for Development:

� The Pairwise Ranking Matrix can be useful to see what are the alternatives of resolution for the most serious problems.

� A stakeholders Conflict and Partnership Matrix can also be used. In the last analytical step, a best bets action plan was prepared to try the resolution of some priority problems.

Figure 02: Map of Hammat Aljarid south-western Tunisia (Source: http://maps.google.fr/)

Zakaria oasis Neighbourhoods Notes : Organized green shapes show modern oases and randomly shaped ones are old oases. Zakaria oasis has 03 drills giving 150 l/s The village (white sphere) has an acceptable infrastructure: roads, basic needs (mosks, schools, municipality, hospital, police station…)

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V- RESULTS

The main findings were detected in the rural community of Hammat Aljarid

south-western Tunisia: a technical innovation which is Bio-diversification of the

oasis agro-ecosystem and a social one which is Zakaria Agricultural Development

Group in the same oasis. Here I will proceed by describing this innovation system, how is it born and explain what are the incomes and impacts from it.

The next historical time line explains many transitions through what Zakaria ADG was created.

Figure 03: Innovation system scheme

Figure 04: Historical time line of Zakaria oasis (Intensity of green shows the biodiversity degree)

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V-1- Transition from the mono-variety palm dates orchard to the

bio-diversified farming system

In 1914, M. Martel a French promoter visited south-western Tunisia.

Interested by palm date production, he bought a piece of land of four hectares in the old oases of Hammet Aljarid from local people. This old oasis which was created by local people with a mixture of local varieties of palm date trees was randomly planted (no lines, no rows…) and extremely intensive. By the means of local workers, Mr Martel snatched trees in order to obtain organised lines and rows; than he introduced another variety called Deglet Noor from the neighbouring town (Kebili, south-eastern Tunisia) and planted it in lines next to that piece of land. But the hydraulic resources there were unable to irrigate all that new creation.

In 1915, Mr Martel found other associates and created a new palm date orchard of Deglet Noor out of the village so that the catchment of a water source has been done and has allowed to irrigate 70 hectares of Deglet Noor (7m x7m) on which a society called “L’oasis” was founded. When the first drill was done in 1940, an extension of 20 hectares was made.

In the following years the local people have been influenced by Mr Martel

and “L’oasis” society, a new mode of management of the natural resources appeared: palm date orchards with Deglet Noor mono-variety and since that period, all new creations were made in that context. Here biodiversity started to be lost, many varieties of palm date trees were threatened and much local know how was lost too. Many local varieties of vegetables disappeared.

In 1964 (date of the agricultural independence of Tunisia), “L’oasis” society

became a governmantal property and was renamed “Société Tunisienne d’Indstrie laitère” (STIL). The first manager of “STIL”: Mr BEN RHAIEM (a local personage from the neighbouring village called Degache) was known as respectful and appreciated by workers and here restarted diversification of the production. Indeed Deglet Noor was successfully exported, fodder crops (especially alfalfa) were introduced, sheep breeding allowed selling meat to hotels and organic matter brought soil fertility. In 1969 STIL created a new extension of 17 hectares on a new drill, production of tomatoes under green houses was developed close to that oasis and its production satisfied the local market. Some fruit trees were planted only to improve the landscape and make it agreeable for visitors. “STIL” knew a brilliant period and brought good opportunities of employment to local people.

Figure 05 : Satellite photo of Zakaria ADG (Source: http://maps.google.fr/)

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V-2- Abandonment of bio-diversity and its impacts

In 1989 the management of “STIL” was given to a subsidiary called “SODAD” (Societé de développement agricole et de dates), Mr BEN RHAIEM left. Sheep breeding and vegetable production were deleted by the new directors which were in the major part of time absent or in their offices, so that workers did only irrigation, maintenance and harvesting of Deglet Noor palm date trees. Drains were progressively abandoned and the oasis was going to degradation. The consequence was that STIL was dismantled in 2001. After the dismantling of STIL society (due to its bankruptcy), the Tunisian government decided to privatise this oasis by distributing it to its previous workers which were given a land tenure over 15 years. Surfaces are between 0.5 and 1.5 hectares depending on their ex responsibilities in “STIL”. In 2002 the remaining plots were distributed to some unemployed graduated people of the village (02 hectares for each one), and a collective interest association “AIC” was created on the total surface (111 hectares) which unique role was water distribution. This AIC was created through the law n° 35 dated in July, 6th, 1987.

Figure 06: Two neighbouring plots showing an abandoned one on the right and a well managed one on the left

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V-3- Return of diversification and transition from the collective

interest association to Zakaria Agricultural Development Group

The difficult situation in which the ex workers and young graduate people of Hammat Aljareed found themselves since 2001; pushed them again to proceed by diversification of their palm dates orchard by using other local varieties of palm date trees, introducing other crops as local varieties of vegetables, fruit trees, fodder crops and even sheep and goat breeding.

Nowadays, it’s clear that the agro-ecosystem of Zakaria is tending to become

more and more balanced and is generating acceptable incomes for local people. Now farmers of Zakaria ADG know that diversification of production can generate new incomes for their farms and families. Indeed the previous income graph (figure 07) has been done with their contribution and it shows the profitability of one “bowl” of 02 palm date trees associated to some fodder or vegetable production. The “bowl” is a local nomination (because its shaped like that) of a piece of land of 06 m x 13 m on which there are 02 palm date trees and another associated crop.

Photos in the next page show different diversity degrees and different ways of

management and conceptions of the plots of some farmers in Zakaria ADG.

Figure 07: Profitability of 01 “bowl” cultivated in Zakaria oasis (own elaboration owing to some farmers; 01 TN = 0.5 Euro)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

GVA (TD)

Palm date tree

Alfalfa

Carott

Onion

Chard

Okra

Corette

Pepper

Melon

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Figure 08: From top to bottom and from left to right: 04 types of plots in Zakaria oasis: 01plot with 03 floors of cultures; 01 plot with 02 floors (Deglet Noor associated to alfalfa); 01 plot with one floor (only Deglet Noor) and 01 abandoned plot invaded by reeds. Clichet TOKARSKY, 2008.

Figure 09: Plot of Mehrez Ben Mohamed Radhwani the president of the ADG, showing diversity and a good

conception and management of his plot.

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It’s clear that diversification of production inside Zakaria oasis created a good economic and social dynamic inside the community of Hammet Aljarid. Incomes of farmers increased and they learned how to manage such a common natural resource and conserve it. Now they are thinking abut common frigorific storage, collective selling point for dates through agro-tourism and purchase of inputs at wholesale prices.

Finally in 2007 this “AIC” became the “Agricultural Development Group of

Zakaria oasis: GDA” and still with that name for nowadays. The GDA creation was done respectfully to the law n° 43 dated in May, 10th, 1999; changed by the law n° 24 dated in Mars, 14th, 2004. Now the group has a legal status and its institutional profile is in the next table.

Group Foundation and

goals

Management Achievements Needs

Zakaria Agricultural development

group

Founded in 2007

Goals:

- Management of the oasis: common natural resources - Maintenance of common infrastructure of the oasis: drills, drains - Water share - Common purchase of inputs - Common commercialisation of production - Regulation of conflicts

- President - Treasurer - 04 members Internal

comity:

- 01 manager - 03 members: Technicians - 02 water dispensers

- Maintenance of drains - Water share - Conflicts regulations - Conservation of some natural resources

- Decrease the price of water extraction - To give the internal comity real tasks - look for markets with minimum intermediates

Table 03: Institutional profile of Zakaria Agricultural development group

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VI- DISCUSSION

In this chapter I will discuss the innovation system which has been detected in Zakaria oasis since its creation and try to give qualifications to the technical innovation, the social one and their relations; by applying some tests (SRI test for social innovation and TEES test for technical one). VI-1- Discussion of the technical innovation: Bio-diversification of

the oasis farming system

In 1964 after the agricultural independence of Tunisia, “L’oasis” society created by M. Martel (French settler) was nationalized and was attributed to a national society called STIL (Tunisian society of milk industry). Haji BERRHAIEM, a local farmer, respectful and proficient, was designed to manage that palm date orchard with a monovarietal (Deglet Noor) cultivation of palm date trees. Technically, Haji BERRHAIEM saw that leaning only on Deglet Noor production could be improved by reintroducing other local agronomic activities such as sheep breeding in addition to fodder crops and local vegetable production. Various fruit trees were also introduced. Here we can qualify Haji BERRHAIEM as a farmer innovator and what he has done as a technical innovation: Biodiversity improving. When applied to this innovation the TEES test shows that:

� Technically it is effective: ex workers certify that palm date production has

increased and quality of production has been improved. Indeed soil fertility has been improved by application of organic matter from sheep breeding and cultivation of alfalfa. Vegetable production provided to workers food security and also meat production…

� Economically it is valid, exportation of Deglet Noor increased, breeding offered new incomes for the society and so for vegetable production which was commercialized on the local market. Salaries of workers were acceptable. In 1969 a new drill was dug and an extension of 17 ha was done. Indeed the figure n° 07 shows that many vegetables can provide respectful incomes, especially pepper, melon and mallow (“corette”). Alfalfa is a specie on which they can rely if they want to breed sheep and even if they want to sell it as a fodder crop.

� Environmentally this innovation is friendly: biodiversity is improved. Alfalfa is a leguminous which provides nitrogen to soil; breeding can give them organic matter and provide soil fertility. The intensive mode of cultivation creates an oasis microclimate that contributes to ameliorate dates quality.

� Socially, it’s acceptable: workers did not save the effort to work seriously in that society (STIL) and felt as if they were working in their own projects, especially when they saw that Mr BERRHAIEM was always present with them on the field.

From 1889 to 2001, STIL was a society in crisis; the managers of that oasis

took many decisions that contributed to its degradation. The environmental imbalance led to a social one: many workers left and in 2001 STIL was dismantled.

20

The remaining workers were given plots on that degraded oasis. Soon these workers restarted diversification to improve their incomes and they managed their plots in a familial type: they did not wait for a governmental help to decide diversification of production, because they were convinced about the result of what have done Haji BERRHAIEM in the late sixties. Many farmers of Zakaria ADG can be considered as technical innovators, especially ex workers of STIL society. Indeed they diversified production and they influenced new farmers (graduated people of the village) to do so. Other farmers are going on diversification little by little. The following figure shows different degrees of bio-diversifications in Zakaria oasis.

Note: The benefit analysis flow chart (figure 12 in annexes) shows that the date palm tree stills the most important oasis element, provides many goods for farmers and generates many incomes. Both men and women are using many parts of the tree to improve the life quality of the family. We notice that work which needs physical effort is done by men; in opposition to easy work which is done by women. Cash use is on the major cases decided by men, but when the cash is generated by women work, women decide for its use. VI-2- Discussion about the social innovation: Zakaria Agricultural

development group

In 2002 an AIC (collective interest association) which was created by a governmental decision; had as only role to share water resources. In the next years, farmers felt that they have to manage other aspects together, especially when drains were being collapsed. Other aspects of exchanges appeared such as seeds exchanges and fruit trees vegetative organs. Gradually they understood that many other things could be done together. In 2007 the government decided to give them more responsibility on the management of these common resources by creating Zakaria ADG (agricultural development group) and helped them to create rules for procedure

Figure 10: bio-diversification degrees in Zakaria oasis (Source: Masters thesis, Yann Tokarski, 2008)

21

for its operation. Here we understand that another social innovation was being born. Applied to this innovation, the SRI test shows: � Sustainability: this agricultural development group is growing gradually and

farmers are interested by improving many aspects together. Elections are done each 03 years. Farmers think now on how to purchase inputs in more common ways and to create a common frigorific storage. The comity of administration is following trainings about the management of the group by the help of AID (local NGO).

� Replicability: Many ADGs have been created on that territory and in the neighbouring villages.

� Inclusiveness: All farmers of Zakaria oasis have joined the group. Some SEAGA tools will show many alternatives for improvements.

The Venn Diagram (Figure 11) deal with the different institutions with which farmers of Zakaria agricultural development group are in contact. This tool shows close relationships with many governmental institutions (CRDA, APIA, BNA) and NGOs (AID, CERAI) which contributed to the creation of the group and influenced the mode of management of the oasis (improvements of infrastructure, provision of some inputs...). The presence of these NGOs helped some governmental ones to be closer to farmers, especially CFPA. These institutions are closely related to farmers. Some other institutions like STEG and CRAO have weak relations with farmers: as for STEG, it’s a governmental society which provides electric energy for water pumping (farmers are always in conflicts with them about water pricing and in many occasions farmers didn’t pay their factures and this society cut electricity). CRAO is a research centre for oasis agriculture: Academic researches conducted on so many years didn’t provide a big help for farmers. The exportation companies are related with farmers only in the season of date production; they come, buy dates with very low prices and do commercialization (exportation).

Figure 11: Venn Diagram: Men perceptions for institutions related to Zakaria ADG in Hammat

Aljareed south-western Tunisia

22

The pairwase raking matrix (figure 05 in annexes) shows priorities for development of Zakaria ADG. Indeed, exportation companies and intermediates are considered as the most important problem for farmers. The added value of this sector is in all cases done by the exportation companies. This problem can be solved by governmental decisions about pricing dates to guarantee a good incomes for farmers.

The governmental disengagement is another threat for sustainability of the oasis sector. In the past many tasks about the oasis activity were done by governmental funds, especially work which needs heavy machines like drainage and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure, added to drilling. Nowadays farmers are obliged to do these expensive activities by themselves and in many times they were unable without help of NGOs to do these tasks. Here government must review strategies and correct them in order to let farmers generate better incomes from the oasis activity.

In order to give farmers the opportunity to improve their livelihoods, land tenure must be clarified. Certificates of ownerships have to be delivered to farmers, taking into consideration that they have to avoid land fragmentation by heritage.

Water pricing must be reviewed and decreased by STEG. Other alternatives are possible: thinking about renewable energies to pump water: sun energy.

The other problems like water shortage, water logging and the irrigation framework, can be solved either by governmental or non governmental help; and even by farmers efforts if the more serious problems are solved; because if so incomes of farmers will increase and the group will make efforts to solve these common problems. More propositions of improvements are provided in the best bet action plan (table 07).

Problems Rank

Exportation companies 01

Governmental disengagement 02

Land tenure 03

Water pricing 04

Water logging 05

Water shortage 06

State of the irrigation network 07

Debt collection 08

Table 04: Rank of problems based on the Pairwise ranking matrix

The stakeholders conflict and partnership matrix (figure 06 in annexes) shows

that farmers of Zakaria ADG are in the major cases in harmony with governmental institutions. These relationships can be improved if more efforts are provided by government. The conflicts are with STEG and monopolies of dates commercialisation and these problems are because incomes of farmers are seriously affected by these two stakeholders. Another problem was detected with a local NGO; AID and that was because of the unclear financial management of the project budget.

23

VI-3- Analysis of the relation between the technical and the social

innovation

In my opinion, bio-diversification of the farming system in Zakaria oasis was for farmers the base to create the development group. Indeed, ex workers of STIL society knew each other since many years; so that sharing water from common drills was for them easy to do; even if some times conflicts exploded about that subject. Some new farmers (graduated youth) were in many cases complaining about inequity in irrigation, but this was not the case and they understood gradually that diversification of production was not the same for all plots in Zakaria oasis; therefore it’s clear that water needs are not the same for every farmer. Conflicts about water disappeared gradually and were switched by some hours of irrigation even between non neighbouring farmers. This attitude of exchanges reached many other aspects such as seeds and vegetative organs, prepared them to resolve other common problems like water logging on the common drainage canals and water shortage when drills failed. The governmental efforts were useful to convince them about group work and Zakaria agricultural development group was created in 2007. By resolving together little constraints, they start now thinking about the more serious ones, such as value chains of dates sector and land tenure; They are requiring to the government to be seriously involved to help them not only by making decisions but by supporting them technically and economically. In the best bets action plan (table 07); farmers of Zakaria ADG are aware of their problems and are thinking about a short term plan to resolve them.

24

When can it

start

Immediately Immediately Immediately When STEG will agree

When CRDA will agree

When CRDA will agree

When CRDA will agree

Immediately

How long will

it take

It depends on the government decision

It depends on the government disponibility

It depends on the government decision

It depends on the STEG decision

It depends on the answer of CRDA

It depends on CRDA answer

It depends on CRDA answer

Some days

Costs Nothing “To study” Nothing Nothing “To study” “To study” “To study” Nothing

Who will do it President and members of ADG

President and members of ADG

President and members of ADG

President and members of ADG and local responsibles

CRDA/farmers of Zakaria ADG

President and members of ADG

President and members of ADG

President, members of ADG and farmers

What will be

done

Zakaria ADG will ask the local authorities for that

Farmers will ask for that through the ADG president and members

Ask the government for that

Ask local authority to intervene to do it

Ask local authorities to provide heavy machines and farmers to contribute when necessary

Ask CRDA to drill and maintain the old drills

Ask CRDA for maintenance of irrigation infrastructure

Rules of procedure have to be signed by all farmers

Solution Giving a decent price to palm dates by the government

The government must take in charge some aspects: drainage, drilling…

Give to farmers ownership certificates with the condition of forbidding fragmentation by heritage

Reducing prices by the Tunisian society for electricity and gas

Drainage must be supported by CRDA and farmers must contribute to do it

Drilling and maintenance of the existing drills must be done by CRDA

Maintenance of irrigation infrastructure must be done by CDRA and farmers have to contribute

Farmers must respect t rules of procedure and pay on time their water

Problem Exportation

companies

Governmental

disengagement

Land tenure Water pricing Water logging Water

shortage

State of the

irrigation

network

Debt collection

Table 07: Best bets action plan for Zakaria ADG in the rural community of Hammat Aljareed western-south Tunisia

25

VII- CONCLUSION

The study of Zakaria Agricultural development group shows many good impacts such as improving livelihoods of farmers by enabling environment. The challenge that the Tunisian government made with farmers was so important when this colonial then governmental land was given to local people who are in the major cases ex workers of STIL society. These workers noticed since they were working with Mr BERRHAIEM the marvellous impacts of diversification of production on the economic state of the society and on environment. Haji BERRHAIEM can be considered as the farmer innovator which influenced local people to make diversification of production. In opposition farmers of Zakaria ADG (ex workers of STIL society) saw the results of stopping diversification of production on STIL society, environment and community of Hammat Aljareed. Degradation was more and clearer since Haji BERRHAIEM left and management of that oasis was allowed to directors who decided about relying only on monoculture of date palm trees and monovariety of Deglet Noor.

In 2001 when the Tunisian government gave this palm date orchard to ex

workers of STIL society, it was degraded and suffering from many technical problems: water logging, a bad irrigation infrastructure and monovarietal land… Now in 2011, the palm date orchard is becoming oasis with its three floors of cultures and is generating for farmers new respectful incomes. Nowadays, Zakaria oasis is increasing in value little by little. Here diversification of production can be considered as a technical innovation which is being spread in many plots of Zakaria oasis and in many other oasis of the region.

In 2002 the AIC (collective interest association) was created by a governmental decision and farmers learned how to manage the water resources in a collective and equitable way. In 2007 Zakaria ADG (agricultural development group) was created and farmers had to manage more collective aspects together like drainage. Indeed with the help of governmental institutions and nongovernmental ones, farmers maintained drains together in 2008. Gradually farmers of Zakaria are thinking about more collective activities as commercialization in a common way and marketing their products through the rural tourism. Women have so much to do by handcrafting if such a chance is given to this community. Time and efforts are needed to fulfil many objectives. Initiatives of farmers have to be considered too. Here we can say that the creation of Zakaria ADG can be considered as a social innovation.

Many constraints are appearing too; the salty surface water table is increasing

the risk of non sustainability of agriculture in Zakaria oasis and farmers are aware of that. Indeed this phenomenon represents a serious threat to diversification of production. The advanced age of the major part of farmers is another threat for Zakaria ADG. Land tenure is unclear and this discourages many other farmers about on farm investments. The budget of the group is weak too and this is weakening much decision making about the common problems. They must learn how to manage the farm budget in more efficient way to guarantee the required budget to manage the activities of the group.

26

Another serious constraint must be taken into consideration: drills are becoming old and their flows are decreasing progressively. Two drills are more than 20 years old and they need to be renewed. The hydraulic resources are becoming insufficient to cover the needs of such intensive production system. These constraints are collective and solutions must be collective too. Despite all these constraints, this investigation showed that smallholders of Zakaria ADG, managing familial farms were able to improve their livelihoods through much behaviour: relying on local resources, initiatives and self (group) reliance. Some institutions played an important role by being close to farmers, especially extension services which were the intermediates between policy makers and them. Other institutions and organisations have to consider that being more involved in the field could add a positive impact in this sector. Policy makers have to be sure that bridging the gaps between them and people can contribute to a more sustainable agriculture.

27

REFERENCES

CIHEAM, 1996. Options méditerranéennes, Date palm cultivation in Oasis Agriculture of mediterranean countries. Dasgupta P, 1998. The economics of food. FAO, 2001. Socioeconomic and gender analysis, Field level handbook. FAO, 2001. Socioeconomic and gender analysis, Intermediate level handbook. Jules N Pretty, 1995. Regenerating agriculture. Netting, 1993 Smallholders, householders, farm families and the ecology of intensive, sustainable agriculture. Peter.M, Rosset, 2000. Benefits of small farm argiculture.

Popkin B, 1998. The nutrition transition and its health implications in lower-income countries.

Skouri, M, 1990. Eléments de synthèse et conclusions. In: Les Systèmes agricoles oasiens. Options méditerranéennes. Série A, Nº 11, 1990. Paris: Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes (CIHEAM). Yann Tokarsky, 2009. La gestion d’une oasis moderne du sud Tunisien dans un contexte de désengagement de l’état.

28

ANNXES Table 01: List of farmers and surfaces

Drill Farmer name Plot surface

(ha)

Abdallah Fardi 1

Abdelraouf Akermi 0,5

Ahmed Ben Mustafa 0,5

Ali Ben Salem 0,5

Brahim Ben Ahmed Sgheir 0,83

Brahim Ben Khenissa 0,5

Chaben Ben Hamouda 0,5

Driss Ben Abdelhafid Chrifi 0,75

Driss Tefaha 1

Ferid El Goul 0,5

Hassan Ben Khanissa 0,5

Hedi Galeb 0,5

Hussein Ben Hedi 0,5

Imed Nafti 1

Kamel Radouani 0,89

Lazher Ben Ahmed 0,5

Maklouf Ben Jmoai 0,5

Maklouf Nafti 0,5

Mohammed Awaled Abdallah 1,5

Mohammed Ben Amar 0,5

Mohammed Ben Omar Dridi 0,5

Mohammed Salah Ben Amar 0,5

Mohammed Sghaeir Atiha 1

Moustafa Defi 0,5

Nouredine Mahajoubi 0,5

Omar Ben Othman Chrifi 0,75

Othman Amdali 1,5

Othman Hmidi 1,5

Salah Ben Othman Radouani 0,5

Sassi Ben Abdelkerim 0,5

Tayeb Ben Bechir 0,75

Tayeb Knich 0,5

8 Bis

Thamer Ben Amar 0,5

Abdallah Ben Abdelhamid 1

Abdelaziz Ben Hamouda 1

Abdeljabar Ben Abdelkarim 1

Abdelkarim Ben Abdallah 1

Abdelsalem Ben Amar 1

Adballah Ben Salem Hrizi 1,73

Ahmed Belgasen Ben Nasr 1

Ahmed Ben Mohammed Knich 1

Ahmed Salah Salhi 1

Ahmed Sghaer Ben Ahmed Nafti 1

Ali Ben Mohammed Ansari 1

18 Bis

Ali Ben Othman Fardi 1

29

Ali Ben Salah Ramdani 1

Amar Ben Mohammed Radouani 1

Brahim Ben Hedi 1

Farid Zahwani 0,75

Gazali Masturi 2

Hassan Ben Mohammed Radouani 1

Jaloul Ben Mohammed Sghaer 1

Lekhimisi Ben Mohammed Zamari 1

Mahmoud Ben Ahmed Nafti 1

Mehrez Ben Mohammed Radouani 1

Mohammed Ben Abddelkader Haji 1

Morad Ben Hedi 1

Mostafa Ben Mahmoud 1

Nourredine Ben Abdelkader Aluwi 1

Othman Ben Hamouda 1

Othman Ben Tahar Gaidi 1

Rachid Ben Younes 1

Rafik Ben Mahmoud 0,75

Tayeb Ben Amar Radouani 1

Thabet Ben Nasser 1

Youssef Ben Mohammed Tahar 1

Abbes Ben Mohammed Saharaui 1

Abdelaziz Chbiki 1

Abdelhamid Mgazoua 1

Abdelhamid Radouani 1

Abdelkader Ben Mouldi 1,5

Abdelrehim Akermi 1

Abdelsalem Ben Aid 1

Abdelwahab Ben Salem 1

Ahmed Ben Mohammed Salah Chwichi 1

Ahmed Ben Mustafa Hamami 1

Ali Ben Amar Soli 1,5

Ali Ben Brahim Radouani 1

Amar Ben Abdel Aziz 1

Amar Ben Jaloul 1

Amer Ben Mohammed Nafti 1

Amer Sabri 1

El Machtla 1

Hechmi Ben Amar Shimi 1

Hedi Towati 0,5

Jaloul Ben Mouldi 0,75

Karim Ben Nourredine 1

Khaled Ben Abdelhamid 1

Mahmoud Ben Omar Awali 1

Makhlouf Ben Tayeb Bidani 1

Mohammed Arafat Dahli 1

Mohammed Ben Abdelkader Nafti 1

Mohammed Ben Belgassen Nefen 1

Mohammed Ben Hamen Chrifi 1

Mohammed Ben Mahmoud Soli 1

5 Bis

Mohammed Ben Mohammed Ali 1,5

30

Khamissa

Mohammed Ben Younes Dridi 1

Mohammed Hedi Awali 1

Mohammed Hedi Ben Abdelaziz 1

Mohammed Salah Ben Mohammed Bechir 1

Mohammed Tayeb Soli 1

Mustafa Ben Mohammed Targi 1

Omar Ben Ahmed Messaoudi 1

Omar Ben Amar Bidani 1,75

Riad Ben Nasser Rjeb 1

Salah Ben Othman Gaidi 1

Tahar Awled Messaoud 0,75

Taoufik Ben Abbes 1

Tarak Ben Abderahmen 0,75

Wadia Safi Dridi 1,5

Zidine Ben Youssef 1,5

Table 02: Drills characteristics

Drill 08 bis 05 bis 18bis Total (l/s)

Commissioning date 1982 1984 1999 ---- Flow in 2003 (l/s) 60 70 70 150 Flow in 2008 (l/s) 34-30 00 54-50 80 Table 05: Paiwise ranking matrix

31

Table 06: Stakeholders Conflict and Partnership Matrix

32

Figure 12: Benefits analysis flow chart

leaves (spathes

+leaflets)

Diet of dates

Trunk

Rejection

How used

Who

decides

on use

Who

does

it

If sold how

cash is used

Who

decides

on cash

use

Leaves: Fences, Windbreaks, Compost, Heating,

♂ ♂ ♂ ♂♀

♂ ♂ ♂ ♂♀

Returns to provide family needs or on farm

♂

Spathes:

Heating, Handcraft

♂♀ ♀

♂♀ ♀

Family needs

♀♂

Leaflets:

Handcraft

♀

♀

Family needs

♀

Good

dates:

Sold fresh

♂

♂

Family and farm needs

♂

Medium

dates:

Juice, Jam, Syrup

♀

♀

Family needs

♀

Bad dates:

Feed livestock

♂

♂

Family and farm needs

♂

Trunk:

Building, Carpentry

♂

♂

Family and farm needs

♂

Rejections:

Oasis rejuvenation

♂

♂

Family and farm needs

♂

33

Collective use of agricultural machines in Zakaria agricultural

development group

Author : Mojib Bahri

Innovators

Here innovators are farmers of Zakaria development grouping

.

Territory

Hammat Aljarid is a village belonging to the delegation of Degache and to the governorate of Tozer, situated in south-western Tunisia. It has a population of 6100 inhabitants (2005 census) and it’s 10 km far from the town city Tozer.

Innovation description

Since they decided to diversify production inside the Zakaria oases, farmers saw little by little that it is indispensable to spend more and more physical effort to work their soil or clean their drains. By the means of using adopted machines they understood that they can work easily and spend less money to obtain good results and improve their incomes.

Hammet Aljarid has an arid climate characterized by low precipitation spread only on 25 days per year (≤ 100 mm/ha/year) and huge high evapo-transpiration (2140 mm/ha/year). Strong thermal amplitudes are quiet clear daily as well as seasonally and drought makes agriculture inconceivable without irrigation. Sirocco: hot and dry wind blows for 30 to 35 days a year. Irrigation is provided by two deep water tables: Terminal Complex and the hot water continental intermediate (respectively 200 to 800m depth and 1200 to 2500m depth). Soils of the region are sandy in the major cases and deeply reworked by human action, particularly by incorporation of organic matter in surface horizons. In the region drainage seems to be a limiting factor for both old and new oases.

Innovation outcomes/impacts

Soil fertility increased, work is more comfortable, diversification is improved and incomes of farmers increased

34

Compost production in Beni Gharib biodynamic

agricultural development group

Author : Mojib Bahri

Innovators/users

Innovators here are : - Hassen Saidy family - Members of Beni Gharib biodynamic agricultural

grouping

.

Innovation outcomes/impacts

- Soil fertility is improved - Incomes of farmers increased especially after the

conquest of outsider markets for biodynamic dates

Territory

Beni gharib are a local community situated in the governorat of Tozer, delegation of Hezwa in south-western Tunisia, where climate is arid. The village counts 4162 inhabitants (2005 census). The main economic activity is agriculture with production of early vegetables using the geothermal water and especially date production in the oases of the region.

Innovation description

Some members of Beni Gharib community which decided to create the biodynamic agricultural development grouping of Beni Gharib, started with 17 members of the Saidy family in 1998. Actually the grouping counts more than 180 members managing surfaces between 1 and 2 hectares. Date palm production is not the only activity; farmers here produce vegetables fodder and breed livestock: sheep and goats. To improve the fertility of their soils, farmers started to compost the wood from pruned palm date trees and use the organic matter in fertilisation

35

Diversification of farming systems and livelihoods

by Zakaria Agricultural development group in the rural community

of Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia

Based on the research activity conducted by Mojib BAHRI, participant in the Sustainable Agriculture course 2010-2011

Hammat Aljarid is a village belonging to the

delegation of Degache and to the governorate of Tozeur, situated south-western Tunisia. It has a population of 6100 inhabitants (Tunisian governmental authorities, 2005) whom main economic activity is oasis agriculture. The study site is a 96 years old palm date orchard which has a surface of 107 ha managed nowadays by an agricultural development group created in 2007. Members of the group are 111 smallholders managing surfaces between half and two hectares in a familial way. Some of them were working in STIL society (Société Tunisienne d’industrie laitière) between the years 1964 and 2001; then after its bankruptcy, STIL was dismantled and the Tunisian government gave them the land.

The innovation system here is diversification of production inside this mono-variety palm dates orchard by the ex-workers of STIL society, through initiatives and using local resources; and improvement of their livelihoods especially since 2007 when Zakaria ADG (Agricultural development group) was created on that orchard by the means of governmental assistance (policies and some institutions) and nongovernmental one.

It’s clear that diversification of production inside Zakaria oasis created a good economic and social dynamic inside the community of Hammet Aljarid. Incomes of farmers (ex workers of STIL and graduated unemployed youth) increased and they learned how to manage such a common natural resource and conserve it. Indeed the first step for them was to think abut more incomes for their families because the palm dates orchard they’ve got in 2001 was almost in an abandoned situation, so they started by using spontaneous grass to feed their sheep and goats, then by cultivating fodder (alfalfa) and vegetables (local varieties of green pepper, melon, okra and leafy vegetables…). Young fruit trees are also planted.

The abandoned mono-variety palm dates orchard of STIL is becoming oasis again. Innovators here are ex workers of STIL society which learned how to produce their own fodder and vegetable seeds.. The origin of this innovation is the manager of STIL: Mr BERRHAIEM with whom they have been working since 1964 when he succeeded in converting that colonial palm dates orchard to oasis by diversifying production.

Map showing the territoty: Hammat Aljarid south-estern Tuinsia

Diversified palm dates orchard with three layers of cultures

36

Comparing to incomes of two palm date trees, many vegetables well known in the oasis such as melon, pepper and corette (mallow) are able to generate acceptable incomes. Other vegetables are generating fewer incomes, but with technical training, farmers can improve their yields and get from them better incomes. Fruit trees are Know juvenile, but in a few years, farmers of Zakaria ADG will benefit from them. Seed production, especially vegetables and fodder (alfalfa), is also another important source of incomes. The major part of farmers is producing and conserving them.

Diversification of the farming system in Zakaria oasis was for farmers the base to create the development group. Indeed, ex workers of STIL learned how to resolve conflicts about water share since 2001 when was created their water share association. They had exchange habits of seeds and vegetative organs to multiply plants… But many other more serious problems appeared such as drainage, a worsening irrigation network, problems abut land tenure, price of water extraction is increasing, drills are collapsing and especially sell prices of dates are staying low because of exportation companies which dominate the dates market. The solution was to switch from water share association to Agricultural development group in 2007 by a governmental decision respectfully to the law n° 43 dated in May, 10th, 1999; changed by the law n° 24 dated in Mars, 14th, 2004.

Group Foundation and goals Management Achievements

Zakaria Agricultural development

group

Founded in 2007

Goals:

- Management of the oasis: common natural resources - Maintenance of common infrastructure of the oasis: drills, drains, irrigation network… - Water share - Common purchase of inputs - Common commercialisation of production - Regulation of conflicts

- President - Treasurer - 04 members Internal comity:

- 01 manager - 03 members: Technicians - 02 water dispensers

- Maintenance of drains - Water share - Conflicts regulations - Conservation of some natural resources

Institutional profile of Zakaria Agricultural development group

Many governmental and non governmental institutions were involved to help farmers to go through this challenge, such as the Regional commissariat for agricultural development, the Promotion Agency for Agricultural Investments and the National Agricultural Bank. An other institution was involved: Vocational training and extension centre, through a convention signed with a local and an external NGO. While the group created, many achievements have been done. Indeed drains are maintained commonly, conflicts about water share are scarcer and some natural resources are conserved. By resolving together little constraints, they start now thinking about the more serious ones, such as value chains of dates sector and land tenure; They are requiring to the government to be seriously involved to help them not only by making decisions but by supporting them technically and economically.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

GVA (TD)

Palm date tree

Alfalfa

Carott

Onion

Chard

Okra

Corette

Pepper

Melon

01 TD = 0.5 Euro

Profitability of a surface of 6 m x 13 m cultivated with 02 palm date trees and another associated crop