World Agriculture Watch

March 2015 Agrimonde Terra Workshop

09/10/2015

The workshop organized by “Agrimonde-Terra” (see agenda) on foresight of land use in Tunisia in 2050 gathered around twenty partners of different institutions, including farmers, over two days. One key component of analysis was the evolution of agricultural structures. The key determinants analyzed are close to the criteria proposed for WAW typology (notably management of farms, ownership of capital, commercialization, labor use, off farm, land tenure (in)security, etc.). It confirmed key interest of stakeholders to further work on evolution of typology of farms and their challenges, with the need to better define specific categories of farms and their trajectories over time. Considering the interest of national stakeholders on foresight, collaborations could be organized between WAW, “Agrimonde- Terra” and national stakeholders (such as INRAT) to deepen foresight analyses of structural transformations, taking into account typology of farms and organized at national and territorial level. A brief on the key outcomes of the meeting is available.

Following the workshop, WAW organized  discussions with national stakeholders who confirmed the interest of working further on typology and monitoring systems in Tunisia to better take into account the diversity and transformations of holdings and improve accessibility and quality of micro-economic data. Such improved data are key to formulate better adapted policy and extension. Stakeholders highlighted the importance of a strong administrative anchorage, including in terms of governance. Also, it is very important to establish strong collaboration with national actors, donors and initiative (for instance FAO study on family farms in three zones, AFD launching a study on modernization of farms, ENPARD project at local level, initiative on production cost, etc.). An in-depth initial assessment is required to propose a clear vision and structuring of an improved monitoring system. Finally, expectations were made in terms of typology methods. Notably, it appears important to clarify terminology, articulation between global and local approach and identification of key variables needed to capture such typology.  The interest of approach based on criteria related to structure, functioning and performance of farms was mentioned.