Soil Protection and Rehabilitation Project in Tunisia Achieves Significant Results
The "Protection and Rehabilitation of Degraded Soils in Tunisia" (ProSol) project has successfully restored and protected 12,018 hectares of agricultural land, enhancing their fertility and water retention capacity.
Launched in September 2019, this program has significantly contributed to sustainable land management and ecosystem resilience in the northwestern and central western regions of Tunisia, according to Tom Eickhof, ProSol project manager at GIZ Tunisia.
Implemented by GIZ in partnership with the General Directorate of Agricultural Land Management and Conservation (DGACTA), the project targeted 75 delegations across the governorates of Jendouba, Béja, Le Kef, Siliana (Northwest), and Kairouan, Kasserine, and Sidi Bouzid (Central West).
Based on agroecological and climate-smart approaches, ProSol achieved an average 36% increase in yields on rehabilitated lands compared to untreated surfaces. Furthermore, 12% of women among the 13,073 beneficiary households reported an improvement in their socio-economic situation thanks to the agroecological practices implemented.
The project also enabled the launch of seven micro-projects and the planting of 110,000 trees (almond, olive, and cherry) by 1,065 farmers.
Sustainable practices encouraged by the project include the use of small agricultural machines, introduction of legumes, crop rotation, composting, direct seeding, and agroforestry, all aimed at improving soil fertility and resilience to climate change. The project also strengthened farmers' technical skills and stimulated innovation in land management.
German Ambassador to Tunisia, Elisabeth Wolbers, emphasized the importance of improving the efficiency of food systems while adopting ecological, economic, and social sustainable solutions. According to her, this will contribute to ensuring equitable access to healthy food, preserving natural resources for future generations, and creating economic opportunities for young people and women in rural areas.
She also highlighted that the project, carried out in collaboration with 17 implementing partners, facilitated the sharing of experiences, innovation, and capacity building for farmers. For instance, ProSol achieved a 22% increase in cereal yields.
Although the agricultural sector represents around 10% of Tunisia's GDP, the country has been facing continuous land degradation over the years, exacerbated by erosion, deforestation, fires, overexploitation, inadequate practices, and water scarcity.
This deterioration is mainly linked to the low organic matter content of soils, which affects their structure and limits their fertility. In this context, the project supported small-scale farmers in adopting effective soil conservation practices.
By promoting sustainable land management practices, ProSol has made a significant contribution to improving the livelihoods of rural communities and ensuring a more food-secure future for Tunisia.
