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Climate change

Tunisia Braces for Catastrophic Harvest Amid Devastating Drought

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Tunisian farmers are facing their worst drought in living memory, with the country's crop production plummeting to zero in some areas. With water reservoirs at historic lows and the global cereals market disrupted by the Ukraine war, Tunisia is facing a perfect storm that threatens to exacerbate its already dire food security situation. As the country's water resources continue to deplete, farmers are being forced to confront the reality of a catastrophic harvest.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tunisia's drought has left water reservoirs at historic lows, with some reservoirs filled to just 16% of capacity.
  • Farmers like Tahar Chaouachi are expecting a catastrophic harvest, with output falling by two-thirds from last year, as crops wither and die due to lack of rainfall.
  • The country's water woes are compounded by climate change, which has seen temperatures rise by 3 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average in December.
  • Tunisia relies heavily on overseas imports of wheat, but with the Ukraine war showing no signs of abating, the country may struggle to meet its domestic demand.
  • The lack of water for agriculture has pushed farmers to abandon irrigated fields, with only 12% of the country's water supply being used to irrigate just 8% of the farmland.
  • Experts are warning that drought means there will be no more water for rain-fed agriculture, and the country needs to rethink how it farms.

Statistics:

  • Tunisia needs 3 million tonnes of wheat and barley a year, with normally around two-thirds coming from overseas imports.
  • The country's water reservoirs are at historic lows, with the biggest reservoir filled to just 16% of capacity.
  • Tunisia has seen less than 10 centimeters of rain since the autumn, pushing farmers to plough withered crops back into the soil.
  • Farmers like Chaouachi have spent $198,000 on the season's cereal crop, expecting to break even or worse this year.
  • The country's farming sector accounts for 12% of the economy, but 2-3% of farmers are leaving the sector every year.

Sources:

  • AFP (no date)
  • Yahoo News (no date)
  • Anis Kharbeche, spokesman for the farming and fishing union UTAP
  • Raoudha Gafrej, water and climate expert
  • Tahar Chaouachi, wheat farmer

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