The Tunisia Farmer-to-Farmer (TF2F) program, launched in 2019, includes farmer groups representing two major crop production environments – sub-humid areas (SHA) and semi-arid areas (SAA). Farming systems in Tunisia’s SHA and SAA mainly focus on field crops, livestock, and some limited horticultural activities. Through the TF2F program, farmers of medium-to-large-scale farms assist nearby smallholder farmers by providing them with the seed of adapted wheat and forage varieties, helping them with feed, and guiding them on the proper use of pesticides when needed.

 

Smallholder farmers in Tunisia rely almost entirely on government assistance and subsidies. In dry seasons, droughts often result in total crop failures in SAA regions and 50% losses in SHA regions. In higher-rainfall years these smallholder farmers experience losses to diseases (e.g., Septoria, rust, tan spot, Fusarium), with up to 60% losses in SHA regions and 30% SAA regions. Small farmers’ crop production is almost climate-dependent, and extreme losses are becoming more frequent as climate changes are becoming more and more unpredictable.

 

Medium-to-large-scale farmers face the same problems but are attempting to reduce losses through better crop management, including supplemental irrigation in dry years and pesticides during higher-rainfall years. In SAA regions, higher-rainfall years can be taken advantage of more easily as disease epidemics are not as frequent (as in the SHA), and farmers are often prepared to use pesticides as needed. In dry years, farmers in the SAA rely more on livestock; hence feed is a significant issue in their farming operations.

 

To date, we have started three TF2F groups (two in the 2019-20 season and a third added in the 2020-21 season). We are targeting 5-10 farmers for each of the three groups:
 

• Bizerte district in the SHA led by Mr. Salah Lamouchi (started 2019)

• Zaghouan district in the SAA led by Mr. Aziz Bouhejba (started 2019)

• Baja district in the SHA led by Mr. Abdelkarim Ben Youssef (started 2020)

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In the 2019-20 season, we planned experiments targeting variety adoption in both the SHA and SAA, disease management in the SHA, livestock integration, and variety adoption in the SAA. Planting went well, but unfortunately, spring activities were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, we maintained communications with lead farmers and learned that their experience went well.

 

Our activities for the 2020-21 season are to evaluate the 2019-20 tests further, and we hope to organize field days and farmer exchanges at each site. Each of the three areas includes a yield trial of 100 accessions, encompassing commercial and breeding lines of durum, bread wheat, and triticale.

 

A study of crop rotation (including wheat, canola, fava bean) and chemical management trials will be conducted during this crop season if the COVID-19 pandemic does not hinder travel plans and visits.

 

The role of TF2F is not only to assure sustainable food production but also income security for farmers. Farmers are in a precarious business and are getting riskier due to climate variability, price volatility, availability of seed, and pricing of supplies. In Tunisia, developing a food system that is both productive and profitable for the farmers is not only valuable but necessary. When farms and farmers excel together, they create a strong foundation for a healthy country.