New Support for Irrigated Agriculture in Tunisia to Conserve Water and Create Opportunities

The World Bank announced today a US$140 million project to support the Tunisian government’s focus on irrigated agriculture as a means of managing scarce water resources while creating economic opportunities, especially in underdeveloped rural regions. The new project will finance the repair of irrigation systems to make them more efficient and reliable, as the critical input for a more productive agriculture sector that generates greater revenues and provides opportunities for a diverse range of people and enterprises, including women and young people.

The Irrigated Agriculture Intensification Project will physically rehabilitate existing irrigation schemes in agricultural areas in the governorates of Béja, Bizerte, Jendouba, Nabeul, Sfax and Siliana. Along with reducing water loss, which can amount up to 40% of water used, the repairs will mean more consistent delivery. A more secure water source will boost the confidence of famers to plant more, and invest in higher value crops. The project will also provide assistance for identifying higher value crops and increasing yields, and linking farmers to markets.