Sustainable agriculture / Sustainable farming systems

1. 1
CIHEAM
Advanced Specialized Course
on
“Sustainable Agriculture”
REPORT
Diversification of farming systems and livelihoods
by Zakaria Agricultural development group
in the rural community of Hammat Aljarid
south-western Tunisia
Mojib BAHRI
Tunisia
Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari
Academic Year 2010-2011

2. 2
This report does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on
the part of the CIHEAM - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari.
It reports the author’s opinions.
Bari : CIHEAM/MAIB, June 2011

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Table of contents
Page
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………
Lists of figures and tables…………………………………………………….………
Abbreviations…………………………………………………………………………
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………….
I- Chapter 01: Background concepts……………………………...………………….
I-1-Research context………………………………………………………….
I-2-Tunisian Oasis agriculture………………...……………………………...
I-3- Oasis agriculture in the research zone…………………………...………
II- Chapter 02: Objectives of the investigation………………………………...….....
II-1- Innovation screening…………………………………………..………..
II-2- Innovation mapping……………………………………………………..
II-3- Innovation reporting …………………………….……………………...
III- Chapter 03: Territorial and sector description…………………………………....
III-1- Territorial description…………………………….……………… …...
III-1-1- Geography and human resources of the research zone………
III-1-2- Climate…………………………………………………… …
III-1-3- Hydraulic resources……………………...…………… …….
III-1-4- Soil resources………………………………………………...
III-2- Sector description: oasis agriculture in Zakaria agricultural
development group…………………………………………………………...
IV- Chapter 04: Methodology…………………..………………………… ………...
IV-1- Preparatory phase…………………………………..…………… …….
IV-2- Screening phase…………………………………..…………… ……...
IV-3- Mapping phase……………………………..…………………. ………
IV-4- Tools applied …………………..……………….………. ……………
V- Chapter 05: Results…………………………..………………………….. ………
V-1- Transition from the mono-variety palm dates orchard to the bio-
diversified farming system…………………………………………………...
V-2- Abandonment of bio-diversity and its impacts…………………………
V-3- Return of diversification and transition from the collective interest
association to Zakaria Agricultural Development Group…………………….
VI- Chapter 06: Discussion..........................................................................................
VI-1- Discussion of the technical innovation: Bio-diversification of the
oasis farming system…………………………………………………………
VI-2- Discussion about the social innovation: Zakaria Agricultural
development group…………………………………………………………...
VI-2- Analysis of the relation between the technical and the social
innovation…………………………………………………………………….
VII- Conclusion…………………...………………………………………………….
References……………………………………………………………………………
Annexes………………………………………………………………………………
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4. 1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank all those who gave me the chance to have this course.
All staff of MAIB Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD)
Department, especially:
Roberto Capone, MAIB Principal Administrator
Lamberto Lamberti, SARD department officer
Hamid El Bilali, SARD department consultant
Virginia Belsanti, SARD department consultant
All online tutors: Keselj Olga, Abdallah Elsoofi Iman and Tegene Negesse
Aychiluhim
All administrative and pedagogic staff of MAIB…
All lecturers and experts which gave me so much knowledge during this course…
All the course colleagues which I was pleased to know
Thanks are addressed also to:
Bahaeddine Jradi: General director of Agricultural training and extension
agency of Tunisia (“AVFA” Tunisie)
Salem Belgassem: Director of Professional vocational training center of
Gafsa-Tunisia
Ahmed Namsi: researcher in the Research center in oasis agriculture of
Degache
Special thanks are for farmers of Zakaria agricultural development group in Hammat
Aljareed south-western Tunisia, and all colleagues from governmental Tunisian
institutions
Thanks for coordinators of Tunisian NGO: AID (Appui aux initiatives de
développement) and Spanish NGO: CERAI (Centro de estudios rurales y agricultura
internacional) which helped me to collect information in the research zone

5. 2
LISTS OF FIGURES AND TABLES
List of figures
Fig 01: Geography of the study zone
Fig 02: Satellite photo of Hammat Aljarid south-western Tunisia
Fig 03: Innovation system scheme
Fig 04: Historical time line of Zakaria oasis
Fig 05: Satellite photo of Zakaria ADG
Fig 06: Two neighbouring plots showing an abandoned one on the right and
a well managed one on the left
Fig 07: Profitability of 01 “bowl” cultivated in Zakaria oasis
Fig 08: From top to bottom and from left to right: 04 types of plots in
Zakaria oasis: 01plot with 03 layers of cultures; 01 plot with 02 layers
(Deglet Noor associated to alfalfa); 01 plot with one layer (only Deglet
Noor) and 01 abandoned plot invaded by reeds.
Fig 09: Plot of Mehrez Ben Mohamed Radhwani the president of the ADG,
showing diversity and a good conception and management of his plot.
Fig 10: Bio-diversification degrees in Zakaria oasis
Fig 11: Venn Diagram: Men perceptions for institutions related to Zakaria
ADG in Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia
Fig 12: Benefits analysis flow chart
Page
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List of tables
Table 01 : List of farmers and surfaces
Table 02: Drills characteristics
Table 03: Institutional profile of Zakaria ADG
Table 04: Rank of problems based on pairwise ranking matrix
Table 05: Pairwise ranking matrix
Table 06: Stakeholders Conflict and Partnership Matrix
Table 07: Best bets action plan for Zakaria ADG in the rural community of
Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia
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Info sheets
Info sheet 01: Collective use of agricultural machines in Zakaria agricultural
development group
Info sheet 02: Compost production in Beni Gharib biodynamic agricultural
development group
Info sheet 03: Story info sheet: Bio-diversification of farming systems and
livelihoods by Zakaria Agricultural development group in the rural
community of Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia
32
33
34

6. 3
ABBREVIATIONS
ADG : Agricultural Development Group
AIC : Collective Interest association
APIA : Agricultural Investments Promotion Agency
BNA : National Agricultural Bank
CFPA : « Centre de Formation Professionnelle Agricole » : Vocational training
centre
CRDA: Reginoal commissariat for agricultural development
CRAO: « Centre de Recherche en Agriculture Oasienne » : Research centre
CSFPAAO: « Centre Sectoriel de la Formation Professionnelle Agricole en
Agriculture Oasienne » : Vocational training centre
GDA : « Groupement de Développement Agricole » : Agricultural Development
Group
NGO : Non Governmental Organization
SEAGA : Socio Economic and Gender Analysis
SODAD: « Société de Développement Agricole et des Dattes »
STIL : « Société Tunisienne d’Industrie Laitière »
STEG : « Société Tunisienne d’Electricité et Gaz »

7. 4
ABSTRACT
Sustainable agriculture can contribute to increased food production, and has
a positive impact on environment and livelihoods. Local resources represent the
guarantee factor for local communities, but the transition towards a more sustainable
agriculture will not occur without some local and external support from institutions
and organisations. Indeed a specific production system which is the Oasis one can
contribute to a local socio-economic prosperity based on agriculture if many
technique, environmental and socioeconomic aspects are provided. In this
investigation we will see if smallholders of Zakaria oasis in the rural community of
Hammat Aljarid south-western Tunisia will confirm the previous opinions.
These smallholders who manage now a ninety six years old palm date orchard
in a familial way; have seen since 2001 that relying only on Deglet Noor dates
production (mono-variety) couldn’t meet their financial needs and improve their
livelihoods, especially when the orchard they had got from the Tunisian government
in that date, was almost in an abandoned situation; so that they found the solution in
diversification of production through initiatives and self reliance, by using other
local varieties of palm date trees and introducing other crops as local varieties of
vegetables, fruit trees, fodder crops and even breeding.
This “new” way of exploitation of the common local resources generated new
incomes for farmers, created some employments and played a determinant role in
conserving natural resources and local know how; but other common constraints
appeared gradually (technical and socio-economical), so that farmers saw that the
establishment of group work could resolve the major part of problems; and created
Zakaria Agricultural Development Group.
Ten weeks screening and mapping period has been spent to understand the
innovation system that was selected, which is “Bio-diversification of farming systems
and livelihoods in Zakaria Agricultural development group in the rural community of
Hammat Aljarid south-western Tunisia”; in which, smallholders improved their
livelihoods and preserved the local resources and know how; through initiatives,
group work and some local and external support.
Key words:
• Sustainable agriculture
• Local resources
• Environment
• Diversification
• Group work

8. 5
I- BACKGROUND CONCEPTS
I-1- Research context
Agricultural sustainability can contribute to increased food production, as
well as it can make a positive impact on environment. Clearly, much can be done
with existing resources, but a wider transition towards a more sustainable agriculture
will not occur without some external support and money. There are always transition
costs in developing new or adapting old technologies, in learning to work together
and in breaking free from existing patterns of thought and practice. It also costs time
and money to rebuild depleted natural and social capital. Most agricultural
sustainability improvements occurring in the 1990s and early 2000s appear to have
arisen despite existing national and institutional policies, rather than because of them
(Dasgupta 1998).
In this context, it is unclear whether progress towards more sustainable
agricultural systems will result in enough food to meet the current food needs in
developing countries, let alone the future needs after continued population growth
(and changed consumption patterns) and adoption of more urban and meat rich diets
(Popkin 1998).
In traditional farming communities, the family farm is central to maintaining
community and to the sustainability of agricultural production. On the small farm,
productive activities, labour mobilization, consumption patterns, ecological
knowledge and common interests in long-term maintenance of the farm as a resource
contribute to a stable and lasting economic and family-based enterprise. Work
quality, management, knowledge and relationships are inter twinned and mutually
reinforcing. Short-term gain at the risk of degrading essential resources not only
invites community sanction, but also places the family and the farm at risk of
collapse. Family farmers regularly achieve higher and more dependable production
from their land than do larger farms operating in similar environments (Netting,
1993). The durability of small farm production is clear in its historical and spatial
ubiquity: small farms exist in all environments, in all political and economic
contexts, in all historical periods over the last 5000 years, and in every known
cultural area where crops can be grown. Small farmers have developed and use a
variety of technologies, crops, and farming systems.
Rather, sustainable land use should be an opportunity to improve the quality
of the environment, including its physical (increased soil fertility, better quality air
and water), biological (healthier and more diverse animal, plant, and human
populations), and social, economic and institutional (greater social equity, cohesion,
peace/stability, well-being) components (Peter.M Rosset, 2000).
Let’s have a look abut a specific system of production which is the oasis one
south-western Tunisia, and confront its real situation to what has been mentioned
above.

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I-2- Tunisian Oasis agriculture
The definitions for the object "oasis" are numerous. This diversity of
definitions is reflected in the diversity of the oases in the western-south of Tunisia.
Oases and oasis farming systems can be defined and characterized using different
approaches: geographical, bioclimatic, agronomic and socio-economic (Skouri,
1990).
Geographically: “Oasis is defined as an island of survival (or prosperity) in
an arid environment”.
Bioclimatically: “Oasis is a microclimate created by man in an arid area
and induced by the layering of cultures”.
Agronomically: “It is an intensive agro-system, established in an isolated
space located in a desert environment”.
Socio-economically: “It is a place of settlement and intensive economic and
socio-cultural activities in a desert environment”.
Aljarid (governorate of Tozeur) is a thin strip of land separating two salty
depressions south-western Tunisia: Chott Aljareed southward and Chott Algharsa
northward. It is considered as an oasis agricultural zone.
Farmland of Aljarid has an area of about 326,061 ha, which represents: 58.3% of the
total area of the governorate of Tozeur. We distinguish 9330 ha of land occupied by
oasis, spread between 3368 ha of old oasis (randomly planted) and 4732 ha of new
ones (palm date orchards planted in lines). It remains to note that 61% of farms have
an area less than one hectare and represent 19% of the irrigated area (Statistics
district of “Commissariat regional de développement agricole de Tozeur”, 2003).
In these oases especially the old one, fruit tree cultivations are associated to
vegetable crops and fodder conduced over 03 layers:
1st
layer: With 1.590.000 date palm trees comprising 940.000 with the variety
Deglet Nour and the rest of the common varieties (Goundi, Bser, Akhouat,
Alig, Kentichi...).
2nd layer: Various fruit trees such as pomegranate, fig, citrus, apple, pear,
apricot and olive. There are about 470,000 trees.
3rd
layer: Open field vegetables and fodder crops.
I-3- Oasis agriculture in the research zone
Hammat Aljarid is a village belonging to the delegation of Degache and to the
governorate of Tozeur. Farmers are householders managing surfaces extending
between “some trees” and two hectares. The major oases and orchards are considered
family farms. Some of them are managing old oases and the others modern palm
dates orchards.
The study site is a palm date orchard called Zakaria on which an agricultural
development group was created in 2007. Farmers to which this colonial ninety-six
years old palm date orchard of 107 hectares attributed (by the Tunisian government);
have seen since 2001 that leaning only on Deglet Noor dates production wouldn’t
meet their financial needs, especially when the orchard they had got was almost in an
abandoned situation.

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II- OBJECTIVES OF THE INVESTIGATION
The objectives of this investigation were to screen, map than report
innovation systems in the village of Hammat Aljareed western-south Tunisia, taking
into consideration its sustainability concerning environmental, economic and social
aspects.
II-1- Innovation screening
The main objectives during the screening phase were to identify social and
technical innovations inside the rural community of Hammat Aljarid; then to choose
the most important one on which the research will be developed. Here 03 innovation
systems have been identified:
Compost production in Beni Gharib biodynamic agricultural development
group south-western Tunisia (information sheet page 33).
Collective use of agricultural machines in the agricultural development group
of Zakaria in the rural community of Hammat Aljarid south-western Tunisia
(information sheet page 32).
Bio-diversification of farming systems and livelihoods by Zakaria
Agricultural development group in the rural community of Hammat Aljareed
south-western Tunisia (information sheet page 34).
II-2- Innovation mapping
During the mapping phase, I selected the best innovation system in the
research zone; which is: Bio-diversification of farming systems and livelihoods by
Zakaria Agricultural development group in the rural community of Hammat Aljareed
south-western Tunisia. Once the innovation identified; many aspects about it had to
be clearly understood. Here the main actors have been identified (organizations,
institutions, groups, individuals) and the determinant strategies (policies, biophysical,
cultural and socio-economic conditions) that contributed to its development have
been understood. Then to make clear relationships between stakeholders, some of the
SEAGA tools were useful.
II-3- Innovation reporting
Finally during the reporting phase the interesting aspects of these innovations
had to be clearly understood. Critical analysis will show what kind of reasons helped
innovators to adopt their innovations? What are the impacts and outcomes generated
from these innovations? What are the limits for its application? And how
improvements can be identified to resolve the remaining problems they have?

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III- TERRITORIAL AND SECTOR DESCRIPTION
III-1- Territorial description
III-1-1- Geography and human resources of the research zone
Hammat Aljarid is a village
belonging to the delegation of Degache
and to the governorate of Tozer, situated
south-western Tunisia. It has a
population of 6100 inhabitants (Tunisian
governmental authorities, 2005) and it’s
10 km far from the town city Tozeur.
The study site is a 96 years old
palm date orchard which has a surface of
107 ha managed nowadays by an
agricultural development group Called
Zakaria (Zakaria ADG) since 2007.
There are 111 farmers adherent to this ADG and they are from the village,
managing surfaces between half and two hectares (the list of farmers is in annexes).
III-1-2- Climate
III-1-2-1- Precipitations and evapo-transpiration
If we choose only one number to characterize Aljareed, we
probably would retain an annual average rainfall of 90 mm very
irregular. Compared to an annual average evapo-transpiration of 2139
mm (Averages calculated by the Regional Meteorological Station of
Tozer between 1993 and 2003), we see that the evaporative demand is
24 times higher than the supply of rainfall.
III-1-2-2- Temperatures
Aljareed is characterized by an arid climate with cold winters
and very hot summers. The average annual temperature is 21.3°C.
Minima are of the order of 5.3°C and maxima are about 40.4°C
(Averages calculated by the Regional Meteorological Station of
Tozeur between 1993 and 2003).
III-1-2-3- Wind
Winds from the south and southwest, as well as northeast,
blow during an average of 50 days per year and are distributed
between February-March and May-June; in addition to sirocco (very
hot and dry wind) which blows for 70 days in the summer.
Figure 01 : Geography of the study zone
(Source: www.connect.in.com)

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III-1-3- Hydraulic resources
Water is pumped from the terminal complex (deep water table). Three drills
are mobilized to ensure the hydraulic needs of the oasis. Salinity is about 3.14g/l.
The drills are considered old and failures occur frequently.
III-1-4- Soil resources
Soils of the region are sandy in the major cases and deeply reworked by
human action, particularly by incorporation of organic matter in surface horizons. In
the region drainage seems to be a limiting factor for both old and new oases. In the
special case of Zakaria ADG, farmers had the habit to add clay periodically to their
soils. This has lead to the formation of an impermeable horizon and asphyxia soils
mainly in the downstream part of the oasis (saline hydromorphic soils).
III-2- Sector description: oasis agriculture in Zakaria agricultural
development group
The study site is a palm date orchard of 107 ha on which Zakaria ADG was
founded in 2007. This “modern” oasis in which palm dates production is the most
important activity was planted by distances of 7m x 7m and with a monovariety of
Deglet Noor. The production is generally sold each year on trees to the Tunisian
exportation companies with low prices, through local intermediates. The Tunisian
exportation companies do exportation. Palm date production is not the only
economic activity in that orchard, indeed various fruit trees have been planted near
palm dates ones by farmers, to offer themselves another source of incomes (olive,
pomegranate, apricot, fig, citrus…). Vegetable production is also another issue with
local varieties of pepper, melon, okra, corette and many leafy vegetables. For fodder,
alfalfa is the main cultivated crop, in addition to spontaneous grass used to feed
sheep and goats. Some farmers keep livestock on their farms and the others at home.
Except for the sale of dates which is for exportation, the other products are
commercialized on the local market. Some seed production is practiced to meet the
needs of local farmers and some times for sell to the neighboring regions (especially
okra, peppers and leafy vegetables). Farmers are doing so because they are
convinced that leaning only on Deglet Noor production couldn’t meet their financial
needs, especially when the dates palm sector is not yet well organized and is facing
so many constraints. In this context, this monovariety dates palm orchard (Deglet
Noor) is becoming now an oasis with its three floors of cultures which remind the
traditional (old) oasis.

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IV- METHODOLOGIE
IV-1- Preparatory phase
The preparatory phase is the first residential phase at IAMB. The objective
was to create the conditions for a successful action learning phase during which I
implemented my assessment on smallholders’ agricultural innovations and
innovation systems behind.
Two things were important in this period: the acquisition of background knowledge
and the identification of the territory to be investigated. While identified, the territory
(rural community of Hammat Aljarid, south-western Tunisia) will be subject to the
next two phases: screening and mapping ones.
IV-2- Screening phase
Land visits of the region were important to understand its specificities; but
since I worked in the region for a period of 5 years; this step took a few days to
observe changes. However it was an opportunity to collect some quantitative and
qualitative data and join them to other informations that I collected since 2007/20008
when I was working as a volunteer for the project called “Valorisation of Zakaria
ADG”. Then interviews with local people, responsible of regional governmental
institutions, farmers, NGO responsible and commercialisation actors helped me to
understand and identify where the best innovations can be found. The most important
innovations have been detected in Zakaria oasis where interviews with some farmers
took place in the presence of a local NGO coordinator which was working there.
Secondary source information have been collected especially to understand the
history of that research site.
IV-3- Mapping phase
This innovation was found in Zakaria oasis where interviews with farmers
(smallholders and ex-workers of a governmental society which managed that palm
date orchard for many years) took place.
President and members of GDA were also interviewed. Other interviews were made
with other key informants such as employees of local institutions, and one Tunisian
NGO coordinator which was working there.
Secondary source information (bibliography) has been collected especially to define
the sector of investigation (oasis agriculture) and to understand the history of the
research site.
All workshops were made in a participatory way when meetings have been organised
on the study site.
All interviews were dealing with a historical apercu of the oasis and some of them
were made using some of the SEAGA tools.

14. 11
The next information deal with names and roles of the different actors and
key informants which have been interviewed:
Farmers of Zakaria agricultural development group (Zakaria ADG) and
ex workers of STIL society:
o President and farmer : Mehrez ben Mohamed Radwani
o Member of ADG and farmer: Mohamed Miska
o Member and farmer : Mohameded Salhi
o Ex member of ADG : Mohamed Nafii
o Farmer : Mohamed Nafti
o Farmer :Youssef Ben Mohamed Taher
o Farmer : Ali Ben Salah Ramdhani
Pumpists (2): water distribution and infrastructure control
Regional Commissariat of agricultural development (CRDA):
o District of soil and water conservation: Chamseddine Harrabi;
chief engineer
o District of rural engineering: Aida; chief engineer
Research center in oasis agriculture of Degache (CRAO) :
o Hassine ben abdallah : researcher in agronomy
o Abbes Kais : researcher in agro-economy
o Othman khwaldia entomology researcher
o Khaldi zahrane : husbandry researcher
Sectorial center in oasis agricultural vocational training of Degache
(CSFPAAO):
o Sassi Jawadi trainer and extentionist engineer
o Ahmed Boussaffa : retired trainer and extentionist technician
NGO : « Aide aux initiatives de développement » (AID) :
o Samir: actual coordinator
o Hichem Salem : ex coordinator
o Bouthaina ben Salem : ex agro-economist employed by AID
IV-4- Tools applied
Using some of the SEAGA Tools, I am going to analyse the environmental,
economic, social and institutional patterns, and the linkages which made up the
context for development in Zakaria oasis.
A gender analysis will show the different roles of women and men to understand
what they do, what resources they have and what their needs and priorities are.
Participation is the basic rule for this investigation.
The SEAGA tools which have been applied are:
For the development context:
Venn diagram for the development context of Agricultural Development
Group of Zakaria oasis and that was a men perception.
An institutional profile of the development group was also done.

15. 12
Then abut the livelihood analysis the next tool is used:
Benefit analysis flow chart of palm date trees
Finally for stakeholders' Priority for Development:
The Pairwise Ranking Matrix can be useful to see what are the
alternatives of resolution for the most serious problems.
A stakeholders Conflict and Partnership Matrix can also be used.
In the last analytical step, a best bets action plan was prepared to try the resolution of
some priority problems.
Figure 02: Map of Hammat Aljarid south-western Tunisia (Source: http://maps.google.fr/)
Zakaria oasis
Neighbourhoods
Notes : Organized green shapes show modern oases and randomly shaped ones are old oases.
Zakaria oasis has 03 drills giving 150 l/s
The village (white sphere) has an acceptable infrastructure: roads, basic needs (mosks, schools,
municipality, hospital, police station…)

16. 13
V- RESULTS
The main findings were detected in the rural community of Hammat Aljarid
south-western Tunisia: a technical innovation which is Bio-diversification of the
oasis agro-ecosystem and a social one which is Zakaria Agricultural Development
Group in the same oasis. Here I will proceed by describing this innovation system,
how is it born and explain what are the incomes and impacts from it.
The next historical time line explains many transitions through what Zakaria ADG
was created.
Figure 03: Innovation system scheme
Figure 04: Historical time line of Zakaria oasis (Intensity of green shows the
biodiversity degree)

17. 14
V-1- Transition from the mono-variety palm dates orchard to the
bio-diversified farming system
In 1914, M. Martel a French promoter visited south-western Tunisia.
Interested by palm date production, he bought a piece of land of four hectares in the
old oases of Hammet Aljarid from local people. This old oasis which was created by
local people with a mixture of local varieties of palm date trees was randomly
planted (no lines, no rows…) and extremely intensive. By the means of local
workers, Mr Martel snatched trees in order to obtain organised lines and rows; than
he introduced another variety called Deglet Noor from the neighbouring town
(Kebili, south-eastern Tunisia) and planted it in lines next to that piece of land. But
the hydraulic resources there were unable to irrigate all that new creation.
In 1915, Mr Martel found other associates and created a new palm date
orchard of Deglet Noor out of the village so that the catchment of a water source has
been done and has allowed to irrigate 70 hectares of Deglet Noor (7m x7m) on which
a society called “L’oasis” was founded. When the first drill was done in 1940, an
extension of 20 hectares was made.
In the following years the local people have been influenced by Mr Martel
and “L’oasis” society, a new mode of management of the natural resources appeared:
palm date orchards with Deglet Noor mono-variety and since that period, all new
creations were made in that context. Here biodiversity started to be lost, many
varieties of palm date trees were threatened and much local know how was lost too.
Many local varieties of vegetables disappeared.
In 1964 (date of the agricultural independence of Tunisia), “L’oasis” society
became a governmantal property and was renamed “Société Tunisienne d’Indstrie
laitère” (STIL). The first manager of “STIL”: Mr BEN RHAIEM (a local personage
from the neighbouring village called Degache) was known as respectful and
appreciated by workers and here restarted diversification of the production. Indeed
Deglet Noor was successfully exported, fodder crops (especially alfalfa) were
introduced, sheep breeding allowed selling meat to hotels and organic matter brought
soil fertility. In 1969 STIL created a new extension of 17 hectares on a new drill,
production of tomatoes under green houses was developed close to that oasis and its
production satisfied the local market. Some fruit trees were planted only to improve
the landscape and make it agreeable for visitors. “STIL” knew a brilliant period and
brought good opportunities of employment to local people.
Figure 05 : Satellite photo of Zakaria ADG (Source: http://maps.google.fr/)

18. 15
V-2- Abandonment of bio-diversity and its impacts
In 1989 the management of “STIL” was given to a subsidiary called
“SODAD” (Societé de développement agricole et de dates), Mr BEN RHAIEM left.
Sheep breeding and vegetable production were deleted by the new directors which
were in the major part of time absent or in their offices, so that workers did only
irrigation, maintenance and harvesting of Deglet Noor palm date trees. Drains were
progressively abandoned and the oasis was going to degradation. The consequence
was that STIL was dismantled in 2001.
After the dismantling of STIL society (due to its bankruptcy), the Tunisian
government decided to privatise this oasis by distributing it to its previous workers
which were given a land tenure over 15 years. Surfaces are between 0.5 and 1.5
hectares depending on their ex responsibilities in “STIL”. In 2002 the remaining
plots were distributed to some unemployed graduated people of the village (02
hectares for each one), and a collective interest association “AIC” was created on the
total surface (111 hectares) which unique role was water distribution. This AIC was
created through the law n° 35 dated in July, 6th
, 1987.
Figure 06: Two neighbouring plots showing an abandoned one
on the right and a well managed one on the left

19. 16
V-3- Return of diversification and transition from the collective
interest association to Zakaria Agricultural Development Group
The difficult situation in which the ex workers and young graduate people of
Hammat Aljareed found themselves since 2001; pushed them again to proceed by
diversification of their palm dates orchard by using other local varieties of palm date
trees, introducing other crops as local varieties of vegetables, fruit trees, fodder crops
and even sheep and goat breeding.
Nowadays, it’s clear that the agro-ecosystem of Zakaria is tending to become
more and more balanced and is generating acceptable incomes for local people. Now
farmers of Zakaria ADG know that diversification of production can generate new
incomes for their farms and families. Indeed the previous income graph (figure 07)
has been done with their contribution and it shows the profitability of one “bowl” of
02 palm date trees associated to some fodder or vegetable production. The “bowl” is
a local nomination (because its shaped like that) of a piece of land of 06 m x 13 m on
which there are 02 palm date trees and another associated crop.
Photos in the next page show different diversity degrees and different ways of
management and conceptions of the plots of some farmers in Zakaria ADG.
Figure 07: Profitability of 01 “bowl”
cultivated in Zakaria oasis (own
elaboration owing to some farmers;
01 TN = 0.5 Euro)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
GVA (TD)
Palm date tree
Alfalfa
Carott
Onion
Chard
Okra
Corette
Pepper
Melon

20. 17
Figure 08: From top to bottom and from left to right: 04 types of plots in Zakaria oasis: 01plot
with 03 floors of cultures; 01 plot with 02 floors (Deglet Noor associated to alfalfa); 01 plot with
one floor (only Deglet Noor) and 01 abandoned plot invaded by reeds. Clichet TOKARSKY, 2008.
Figure 09: Plot of Mehrez Ben Mohamed Radhwani the
president of the ADG, showing diversity and a good
conception and management of his plot.

21. 18
It’s clear that diversification of production inside Zakaria oasis created a good
economic and social dynamic inside the community of Hammet Aljarid. Incomes of
farmers increased and they learned how to manage such a common natural resource
and conserve it. Now they are thinking abut common frigorific storage, collective
selling point for dates through agro-tourism and purchase of inputs at wholesale
prices.
Finally in 2007 this “AIC” became the “Agricultural Development Group of
Zakaria oasis: GDA” and still with that name for nowadays. The GDA creation was
done respectfully to the law n° 43 dated in May, 10th
, 1999; changed by the law n° 24
dated in Mars, 14th
, 2004. Now the group has a legal status and its institutional
profile is in the next table.
Group Foundation and
goals
Management Achievements Needs
Zakaria
Agricultural
development
group
Founded in 2007
Goals:
- Management of
the oasis:
common natural
resources
- Maintenance of
common
infrastructure of
the oasis: drills,
drains
- Water share
- Common
purchase of inputs
- Common
commercialisation
of production
- Regulation of
conflicts
- President
- Treasurer
- 04 members
Internal
comity:
- 01 manager
- 03 members:
Technicians
- 02 water
dispensers
- Maintenance
of drains
- Water share
- Conflicts
regulations
- Conservation
of some
natural
resources
- Decrease the
price of water
extraction
- To give the
internal comity
real tasks
- look for
markets with
minimum
intermediates
Table 03: Institutional profile of Zakaria Agricultural development group

22. 19
VI- DISCUSSION
In this chapter I will discuss the innovation system which has been detected in
Zakaria oasis since its creation and try to give qualifications to the technical
innovation, the social one and their relations; by applying some tests (SRI test for
social innovation and TEES test for technical one).
VI-1- Discussion of the technical innovation: Bio-diversification of
the oasis farming system
In 1964 after the agricultural independence of Tunisia, “L’oasis” society
created by M. Martel (French settler) was nationalized and was attributed to a
national society called STIL (Tunisian society of milk industry). Haji BERRHAIEM,
a local farmer, respectful and proficient, was designed to manage that palm date
orchard with a monovarietal (Deglet Noor) cultivation of palm date trees.
Technically, Haji BERRHAIEM saw that leaning only on Deglet Noor production
could be improved by reintroducing other local agronomic activities such as sheep
breeding in addition to fodder crops and local vegetable production. Various fruit
trees were also introduced. Here we can qualify Haji BERRHAIEM as a farmer
innovator and what he has done as a technical innovation: Biodiversity improving.
When applied to this innovation the TEES test shows that:
Technically it is effective: ex workers certify that palm date production has
increased and quality of production has been improved. Indeed soil fertility
has been improved by application of organic matter from sheep breeding
and cultivation of alfalfa. Vegetable production provided to workers food
security and also meat production…
Economically it is valid, exportation of Deglet Noor increased, breeding
offered new incomes for the society and so for vegetable production which
was commercialized on the local market. Salaries of workers were
acceptable. In 1969 a new drill was dug and an extension of 17 ha was
done. Indeed the figure n° 07 shows that many vegetables can provide
respectful incomes, especially pepper, melon and mallow (“corette”).
Alfalfa is a specie on which they can rely if they want to breed sheep and
even if they want to sell it as a fodder crop.
Environmentally this innovation is friendly: biodiversity is improved.
Alfalfa is a leguminous which provides nitrogen to soil; breeding can give
them organic matter and provide soil fertility. The intensive mode of
cultivation creates an oasis microclimate that contributes to ameliorate
dates quality.
Socially, it’s acceptable: workers did not save the effort to work seriously
in that society (STIL) and felt as if they were working in their own projects,
especially when they saw that Mr BERRHAIEM was always present with
them on the field.
From 1889 to 2001, STIL was a society in crisis; the managers of that oasis
took many decisions that contributed to its degradation. The environmental
imbalance led to a social one: many workers left and in 2001 STIL was dismantled.

23. 20
The remaining workers were given plots on that degraded oasis. Soon these workers
restarted diversification to improve their incomes and they managed their plots in a
familial type: they did not wait for a governmental help to decide diversification of
production, because they were convinced about the result of what have done Haji
BERRHAIEM in the late sixties. Many farmers of Zakaria ADG can be considered
as technical innovators, especially ex workers of STIL society. Indeed they
diversified production and they influenced new farmers (graduated people of the
village) to do so. Other farmers are going on diversification little by little. The
following figure shows different degrees of bio-diversifications in Zakaria oasis.
Note: The benefit analysis flow chart (figure 12 in annexes) shows that the date palm
tree stills the most important oasis element, provides many goods for farmers and
generates many incomes. Both men and women are using many parts of the tree to
improve the life quality of the family. We notice that work which needs physical
effort is done by men; in opposition to easy work which is done by women. Cash use
is on the major cases decided by men, but when the cash is generated by women
work, women decide for its use.
VI-2- Discussion about the social innovation: Zakaria Agricultural
development group
In 2002 an AIC (collective interest association) which was created by a
governmental decision; had as only role to share water resources. In the next years,
farmers felt that they have to manage other aspects together, especially when drains
were being collapsed. Other aspects of exchanges appeared such as seeds exchanges
and fruit trees vegetative organs. Gradually they understood that many other things
could be done together. In 2007 the government decided to give them more
responsibility on the management of these common resources by creating Zakaria
ADG (agricultural development group) and helped them to create rules for procedure
Figure 10: bio-diversification degrees in Zakaria oasis
(Source: Masters thesis, Yann Tokarski, 2008)

24. 21
for its operation. Here we understand that another social innovation was being born.
Applied to this innovation, the SRI test shows:
Sustainability: this agricultural development group is growing gradually and
farmers are interested by improving many aspects together. Elections are done
each 03 years. Farmers think now on how to purchase inputs in more common
ways and to create a common frigorific storage. The comity of administration is
following trainings about the management of the group by the help of AID
(local NGO).
Replicability: Many ADGs have been created on that territory and in the
neighbouring villages.
Inclusiveness: All farmers of Zakaria oasis have joined the group.
Some SEAGA tools will show many alternatives for improvements.
The Venn Diagram (Figure 11) deal with the different institutions with which
farmers of Zakaria agricultural development group are in contact. This tool shows
close relationships with many governmental institutions (CRDA, APIA, BNA) and
NGOs (AID, CERAI) which contributed to the creation of the group and influenced
the mode of management of the oasis (improvements of infrastructure, provision of
some inputs...). The presence of these NGOs helped some governmental ones to be
closer to farmers, especially CFPA. These institutions are closely related to farmers.
Some other institutions like STEG and CRAO have weak relations with farmers: as
for STEG, it’s a governmental society which provides electric energy for water
pumping (farmers are always in conflicts with them about water pricing and in many
occasions farmers didn’t pay their factures and this society cut electricity). CRAO is
a research centre for oasis agriculture: Academic researches conducted on so many
years didn’t provide a big help for farmers. The exportation companies are related
with farmers only in the season of date production; they come, buy dates with very
low prices and do commercialization (exportation).
Figure 11: Venn Diagram: Men perceptions for institutions related to Zakaria ADG in Hammat
Aljareed south-western Tunisia

25. 22
The pairwase raking matrix (figure 05 in annexes) shows priorities for
development of Zakaria ADG. Indeed, exportation companies and intermediates are
considered as the most important problem for farmers. The added value of this sector
is in all cases done by the exportation companies. This problem can be solved by
governmental decisions about pricing dates to guarantee a good incomes for farmers.
The governmental disengagement is another threat for sustainability of the
oasis sector. In the past many tasks about the oasis activity were done by
governmental funds, especially work which needs heavy machines like drainage and
maintenance of irrigation infrastructure, added to drilling. Nowadays farmers are
obliged to do these expensive activities by themselves and in many times they were
unable without help of NGOs to do these tasks. Here government must review
strategies and correct them in order to let farmers generate better incomes from the
oasis activity.
In order to give farmers the opportunity to improve their livelihoods, land
tenure must be clarified. Certificates of ownerships have to be delivered to farmers,
taking into consideration that they have to avoid land fragmentation by heritage.
Water pricing must be reviewed and decreased by STEG. Other alternatives
are possible: thinking about renewable energies to pump water: sun energy.
The other problems like water shortage, water logging and the irrigation
framework, can be solved either by governmental or non governmental help; and
even by farmers efforts if the more serious problems are solved; because if so
incomes of farmers will increase and the group will make efforts to solve these
common problems. More propositions of improvements are provided in the best bet
action plan (table 07).
Problems Rank
Exportation companies 01
Governmental disengagement 02
Land tenure 03
Water pricing 04
Water logging 05
Water shortage 06
State of the irrigation network 07
Debt collection 08
Table 04: Rank of problems based on the Pairwise ranking matrix
The stakeholders conflict and partnership matrix (figure 06 in annexes) shows
that farmers of Zakaria ADG are in the major cases in harmony with governmental
institutions. These relationships can be improved if more efforts are provided by
government. The conflicts are with STEG and monopolies of dates
commercialisation and these problems are because incomes of farmers are seriously
affected by these two stakeholders. Another problem was detected with a local NGO;
AID and that was because of the unclear financial management of the project budget.

26. 23
VI-3- Analysis of the relation between the technical and the social
innovation
In my opinion, bio-diversification of the farming system in Zakaria oasis was
for farmers the base to create the development group. Indeed, ex workers of STIL
society knew each other since many years; so that sharing water from common drills
was for them easy to do; even if some times conflicts exploded about that subject.
Some new farmers (graduated youth) were in many cases complaining about inequity
in irrigation, but this was not the case and they understood gradually that
diversification of production was not the same for all plots in Zakaria oasis; therefore
it’s clear that water needs are not the same for every farmer. Conflicts about water
disappeared gradually and were switched by some hours of irrigation even between
non neighbouring farmers.
This attitude of exchanges reached many other aspects such as seeds and vegetative
organs, prepared them to resolve other common problems like water logging on the
common drainage canals and water shortage when drills failed.
The governmental efforts were useful to convince them about group work and
Zakaria agricultural development group was created in 2007.
By resolving together little constraints, they start now thinking about the more
serious ones, such as value chains of dates sector and land tenure; They are requiring
to the government to be seriously involved to help them not only by making
decisions but by supporting them technically and economically.
In the best bets action plan (table 07); farmers of Zakaria ADG are aware of their
problems and are thinking about a short term plan to resolve them.

27. 24
When can it
start
Immediately Immediately Immediately When STEG
will agree
When CRDA
will agree
When CRDA
will agree
When CRDA
will agree
Immediately
How long will
it take
It depends on
the government
decision
It depends on
the government
disponibility
It depends on
the government
decision
It depends on
the STEG
decision
It depends on
the answer of
CRDA
It depends on
CRDA answer
It depends on
CRDA answer
Some days
Costs Nothing “To study” Nothing Nothing “To study” “To study” “To study” Nothing
Who will do it President and
members of
ADG
President and
members of
ADG
President and
members of
ADG
President and
members of
ADG and local
responsibles
CRDA/farmers
of Zakaria
ADG
President and
members of
ADG
President and
members of
ADG
President,
members of
ADG and
farmers
What will be
done
Zakaria ADG
will ask the
local authorities
for that
Farmers will
ask for that
through the
ADG president
and members
Ask the
government for
that
Ask local
authority to
intervene to do
it
Ask local
authorities to
provide heavy
machines and
farmers to
contribute when
necessary
Ask CRDA to
drill and
maintain the old
drills
Ask CRDA for
maintenance of
irrigation
infrastructure
Rules of
procedure have
to be signed by
all farmers
Solution Giving a decent
price to palm
dates by the
government
The
government
must take in
charge some
aspects:
drainage,
drilling…
Give to farmers
ownership
certificates with
the condition of
forbidding
fragmentation
by heritage
Reducing prices
by the Tunisian
society for
electricity and
gas
Drainage must
be supported by
CRDA and
farmers must
contribute to do
it
Drilling and
maintenance of
the existing
drills must be
done by CRDA
Maintenance of
irrigation
infrastructure
must be done
by CDRA and
farmers have to
contribute
Farmers must
respect t rules
of procedure
and pay on time
their water
Problem Exportation
companies
Governmental
disengagement
Land tenure Water pricing Water logging Water
shortage
State of the
irrigation
network
Debt collection
Table 07: Best bets action plan for Zakaria ADG in the rural community of Hammat Aljareed western-south Tunisia

28. 25
VII- CONCLUSION
The study of Zakaria Agricultural development group shows many good
impacts such as improving livelihoods of farmers by enabling environment. The
challenge that the Tunisian government made with farmers was so important when
this colonial then governmental land was given to local people who are in the major
cases ex workers of STIL society. These workers noticed since they were working
with Mr BERRHAIEM the marvellous impacts of diversification of production on
the economic state of the society and on environment. Haji BERRHAIEM can be
considered as the farmer innovator which influenced local people to make
diversification of production. In opposition farmers of Zakaria ADG (ex workers of
STIL society) saw the results of stopping diversification of production on STIL
society, environment and community of Hammat Aljareed. Degradation was more
and clearer since Haji BERRHAIEM left and management of that oasis was allowed
to directors who decided about relying only on monoculture of date palm trees and
monovariety of Deglet Noor.
In 2001 when the Tunisian government gave this palm date orchard to ex
workers of STIL society, it was degraded and suffering from many technical
problems: water logging, a bad irrigation infrastructure and monovarietal land…
Now in 2011, the palm date orchard is becoming oasis with its three floors of
cultures and is generating for farmers new respectful incomes. Nowadays, Zakaria
oasis is increasing in value little by little. Here diversification of production can be
considered as a technical innovation which is being spread in many plots of Zakaria
oasis and in many other oasis of the region.
In 2002 the AIC (collective interest association) was created by a
governmental decision and farmers learned how to manage the water resources in a
collective and equitable way. In 2007 Zakaria ADG (agricultural development
group) was created and farmers had to manage more collective aspects together like
drainage. Indeed with the help of governmental institutions and nongovernmental
ones, farmers maintained drains together in 2008. Gradually farmers of Zakaria are
thinking about more collective activities as commercialization in a common way and
marketing their products through the rural tourism. Women have so much to do by
handcrafting if such a chance is given to this community. Time and efforts are
needed to fulfil many objectives. Initiatives of farmers have to be considered too.
Here we can say that the creation of Zakaria ADG can be considered as a social
innovation.
Many constraints are appearing too; the salty surface water table is increasing
the risk of non sustainability of agriculture in Zakaria oasis and farmers are aware of
that. Indeed this phenomenon represents a serious threat to diversification of
production. The advanced age of the major part of farmers is another threat for
Zakaria ADG. Land tenure is unclear and this discourages many other farmers about
on farm investments. The budget of the group is weak too and this is weakening
much decision making about the common problems. They must learn how to manage
the farm budget in more efficient way to guarantee the required budget to manage the
activities of the group.

29. 26
Another serious constraint must be taken into consideration: drills are becoming old
and their flows are decreasing progressively. Two drills are more than 20 years old
and they need to be renewed. The hydraulic resources are becoming insufficient to
cover the needs of such intensive production system. These constraints are collective
and solutions must be collective too.
Despite all these constraints, this investigation showed that smallholders of
Zakaria ADG, managing familial farms were able to improve their livelihoods
through much behaviour: relying on local resources, initiatives and self (group)
reliance. Some institutions played an important role by being close to farmers,
especially extension services which were the intermediates between policy makers
and them. Other institutions and organisations have to consider that being more
involved in the field could add a positive impact in this sector. Policy makers have to
be sure that bridging the gaps between them and people can contribute to a more
sustainable agriculture.

30. 27
REFERENCES
CIHEAM, 1996. Options méditerranéennes, Date palm cultivation in Oasis
Agriculture of mediterranean countries.
Dasgupta P, 1998. The economics of food.
FAO, 2001. Socioeconomic and gender analysis, Field level handbook.
FAO, 2001. Socioeconomic and gender analysis, Intermediate level handbook.
Jules N Pretty, 1995. Regenerating agriculture.
Netting, 1993 Smallholders, householders, farm families and the ecology of
intensive, sustainable agriculture.
Peter.M, Rosset, 2000. Benefits of small farm argiculture.
Popkin B, 1998. The nutrition transition and its health implications in lower-income
countries.
Skouri, M, 1990. Eléments de synthèse et conclusions. In: Les Systèmes agricoles
oasiens. Options méditerranéennes. Série A, Nº 11, 1990. Paris: Centre International
de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes (CIHEAM).
Yann Tokarsky, 2009. La gestion d’une oasis moderne du sud Tunisien dans un
contexte de désengagement de l’état.

31. 28
ANNXES
Table 01: List of farmers and surfaces
Drill Farmer name
Plot surface
(ha)
Abdallah Fardi 1
Abdelraouf Akermi 0,5
Ahmed Ben Mustafa 0,5
Ali Ben Salem 0,5
Brahim Ben Ahmed Sgheir 0,83
Brahim Ben Khenissa 0,5
Chaben Ben Hamouda 0,5
Driss Ben Abdelhafid Chrifi 0,75
Driss Tefaha 1
Ferid El Goul 0,5
Hassan Ben Khanissa 0,5
Hedi Galeb 0,5
Hussein Ben Hedi 0,5
Imed Nafti 1
Kamel Radouani 0,89
Lazher Ben Ahmed 0,5
Maklouf Ben Jmoai 0,5
Maklouf Nafti 0,5
Mohammed Awaled Abdallah 1,5
Mohammed Ben Amar 0,5
Mohammed Ben Omar Dridi 0,5
Mohammed Salah Ben Amar 0,5
Mohammed Sghaeir Atiha 1
Moustafa Defi 0,5
Nouredine Mahajoubi 0,5
Omar Ben Othman Chrifi 0,75
Othman Amdali 1,5
Othman Hmidi 1,5
Salah Ben Othman Radouani 0,5
Sassi Ben Abdelkerim 0,5
Tayeb Ben Bechir 0,75
Tayeb Knich 0,5
8 Bis
Thamer Ben Amar 0,5
Abdallah Ben Abdelhamid 1
Abdelaziz Ben Hamouda 1
Abdeljabar Ben Abdelkarim 1
Abdelkarim Ben Abdallah 1
Abdelsalem Ben Amar 1
Adballah Ben Salem Hrizi 1,73
Ahmed Belgasen Ben Nasr 1
Ahmed Ben Mohammed Knich 1
Ahmed Salah Salhi 1
Ahmed Sghaer Ben Ahmed Nafti 1
Ali Ben Mohammed Ansari 1
18 Bis
Ali Ben Othman Fardi 1

32. 29
Ali Ben Salah Ramdani 1
Amar Ben Mohammed Radouani 1
Brahim Ben Hedi 1
Farid Zahwani 0,75
Gazali Masturi 2
Hassan Ben Mohammed Radouani 1
Jaloul Ben Mohammed Sghaer 1
Lekhimisi Ben Mohammed Zamari 1
Mahmoud Ben Ahmed Nafti 1
Mehrez Ben Mohammed Radouani 1
Mohammed Ben Abddelkader Haji 1
Morad Ben Hedi 1
Mostafa Ben Mahmoud 1
Nourredine Ben Abdelkader Aluwi 1
Othman Ben Hamouda 1
Othman Ben Tahar Gaidi 1
Rachid Ben Younes 1
Rafik Ben Mahmoud 0,75
Tayeb Ben Amar Radouani 1
Thabet Ben Nasser 1
Youssef Ben Mohammed Tahar 1
Abbes Ben Mohammed Saharaui 1
Abdelaziz Chbiki 1
Abdelhamid Mgazoua 1
Abdelhamid Radouani 1
Abdelkader Ben Mouldi 1,5
Abdelrehim Akermi 1
Abdelsalem Ben Aid 1
Abdelwahab Ben Salem 1
Ahmed Ben Mohammed Salah Chwichi 1
Ahmed Ben Mustafa Hamami 1
Ali Ben Amar Soli 1,5
Ali Ben Brahim Radouani 1
Amar Ben Abdel Aziz 1
Amar Ben Jaloul 1
Amer Ben Mohammed Nafti 1
Amer Sabri 1
El Machtla 1
Hechmi Ben Amar Shimi 1
Hedi Towati 0,5
Jaloul Ben Mouldi 0,75
Karim Ben Nourredine 1
Khaled Ben Abdelhamid 1
Mahmoud Ben Omar Awali 1
Makhlouf Ben Tayeb Bidani 1
Mohammed Arafat Dahli 1
Mohammed Ben Abdelkader Nafti 1
Mohammed Ben Belgassen Nefen 1
Mohammed Ben Hamen Chrifi 1
Mohammed Ben Mahmoud Soli 1
5 Bis
Mohammed Ben Mohammed Ali 1,5

33. 30
Khamissa
Mohammed Ben Younes Dridi 1
Mohammed Hedi Awali 1
Mohammed Hedi Ben Abdelaziz 1
Mohammed Salah Ben Mohammed
Bechir 1
Mohammed Tayeb Soli 1
Mustafa Ben Mohammed Targi 1
Omar Ben Ahmed Messaoudi 1
Omar Ben Amar Bidani 1,75
Riad Ben Nasser Rjeb 1
Salah Ben Othman Gaidi 1
Tahar Awled Messaoud 0,75
Taoufik Ben Abbes 1
Tarak Ben Abderahmen 0,75
Wadia Safi Dridi 1,5
Zidine Ben Youssef 1,5
Table 02: Drills characteristics
Drill 08 bis 05 bis 18bis Total
(l/s)
Commissioning date 1982 1984 1999 ----
Flow in 2003 (l/s) 60 70 70 150
Flow in 2008 (l/s) 34-30 00 54-50 80
Table 05: Paiwise ranking matrix

34. 31
Table 06: Stakeholders Conflict and Partnership Matrix

35. 32
Figure 12: Benefits analysis flow chart
leaves
(spathes
+leaflets)
Diet of
dates
Trunk
Rejection
How used
Who
decides
on use
Who
does
it
If sold how
cash is used
Who
decides
on cash
use
Leaves:
Fences,
Windbreaks,
Compost,
Heating,
♂
♂
♂
♂♀
♂
♂
♂
♂♀
Returns to
provide
family needs
or on farm
♂
Spathes:
Heating,
Handcraft
♂♀
♀
♂♀
♀
Family needs
♀♂
Leaflets:
Handcraft ♀ ♀
Family needs
♀
Good
dates:
Sold fresh ♂ ♂
Family and
farm needs
♂
Medium
dates:
Juice, Jam,
Syrup
♀ ♀
Family needs
♀
Bad dates:
Feed
livestock
♂ ♂
Family and
farm needs ♂
Trunk:
Building,
Carpentry
♂ ♂
Family and
farm needs ♂
Rejections:
Oasis
rejuvenation ♂ ♂
Family and
farm needs
♂

36. 33
Collective use of agricultural machines in Zakaria agricultural
development group
Author : Mojib Bahri
Innovators
Here innovators are farmers of Zakaria development grouping
.
Territory
Hammat Aljarid is a village belonging to the
delegation of Degache and to the governorate of
Tozer, situated in south-western Tunisia.
It has a population of 6100 inhabitants (2005 census)
and it’s 10 km far from the town city Tozer.
Innovation description
Since they decided to diversify
production inside the Zakaria oases,
farmers saw little by little that it is
indispensable to spend more and more
physical effort to work their soil or clean
their drains. By the means of using adopted
machines they understood that they can
work easily and spend less money to obtain
good results and improve their incomes.
Hammet Aljarid has an arid climate characterized by low precipitation spread only on
25 days per year (≤ 100 mm/ha/year) and huge high evapo-transpiration (2140 mm/ha/year).
Strong thermal amplitudes are quiet clear daily as well as seasonally and drought makes
agriculture inconceivable without irrigation. Sirocco: hot and dry wind blows for 30 to 35
days a year.
Irrigation is provided by two deep water tables: Terminal Complex and the hot water
continental intermediate (respectively 200 to 800m depth and 1200 to 2500m depth).
Soils of the region are sandy in the major cases and deeply reworked by human action,
particularly by incorporation of organic matter in surface horizons. In the region drainage
seems to be a limiting factor for both old and new oases.
Innovation outcomes/impacts
Soil fertility increased, work is more comfortable, diversification is improved and incomes of
farmers increased

37. 34
Compost production in Beni Gharib biodynamic
agricultural development group
Author : Mojib Bahri
Innovators/users
Innovators here are :
- Hassen Saidy family
- Members of Beni Gharib biodynamic agricultural
grouping
.
Innovation outcomes/impacts
- Soil fertility is improved
- Incomes of farmers increased especially after the
conquest of outsider markets for biodynamic dates
Territory
Beni gharib are a local community situated in the governorat
of Tozer, delegation of Hezwa in south-western Tunisia, where
climate is arid. The village counts 4162 inhabitants (2005 census).
The main economic activity is agriculture with production of
early vegetables using the geothermal water and especially date
production in the oases of the region.
Innovation description
Some members of Beni Gharib community which decided to
create the biodynamic agricultural development grouping of
Beni Gharib, started with 17 members of the Saidy family in
1998. Actually the grouping counts more than 180 members
managing surfaces between 1 and 2 hectares. Date palm
production is not the only activity; farmers here produce
vegetables fodder and breed livestock: sheep and goats. To
improve the fertility of their soils, farmers started to compost
the wood from pruned palm date trees and use the organic
matter in fertilisation

38. 35
Diversification of farming systems and livelihoods
by Zakaria Agricultural development group in the rural community
of Hammat Aljareed south-western Tunisia
Based on the research activity conducted by Mojib BAHRI, participant in the Sustainable Agriculture course 2010-2011
Hammat Aljarid is a village belonging to the
delegation of Degache and to the governorate of
Tozeur, situated south-western Tunisia. It has a
population of 6100 inhabitants (Tunisian
governmental authorities, 2005) whom main
economic activity is oasis agriculture.
The study site is a 96 years old palm date orchard
which has a surface of 107 ha managed nowadays by
an agricultural development group created in 2007.
Members of the group are 111 smallholders managing
surfaces between half and two hectares in a familial
way. Some of them were working in STIL society
(Société Tunisienne d’industrie laitière) between the
years 1964 and 2001; then after its bankruptcy, STIL
was dismantled and the Tunisian government gave
them the land.
The innovation system here is diversification of production inside this mono-variety palm
dates orchard by the ex-workers of STIL society, through initiatives and using local resources; and
improvement of their livelihoods especially since 2007 when Zakaria ADG (Agricultural
development group) was created on that orchard by the means of governmental assistance (policies
and some institutions) and nongovernmental one.
It’s clear that diversification of production inside
Zakaria oasis created a good economic and social
dynamic inside the community of Hammet Aljarid.
Incomes of farmers (ex workers of STIL and graduated
unemployed youth) increased and they learned how to
manage such a common natural resource and conserve
it. Indeed the first step for them was to think abut more
incomes for their families because the palm dates
orchard they’ve got in 2001 was almost in an
abandoned situation, so they started by using
spontaneous grass to feed their sheep and goats, then
by cultivating fodder (alfalfa) and vegetables (local
varieties of green pepper, melon, okra and leafy
vegetables…). Young fruit trees are also planted.
The abandoned mono-variety palm dates orchard of STIL is becoming oasis again. Innovators here
are ex workers of STIL society which learned how to produce their own fodder and vegetable
seeds.. The origin of this innovation is the manager of STIL: Mr BERRHAIEM with whom they
have been working since 1964 when he succeeded in converting that colonial palm dates orchard to
oasis by diversifying production.
Map showing the territoty: Hammat Aljarid
south-estern Tuinsia
Diversified palm dates orchard with three
layers of cultures

39. 36
Comparing to incomes of two palm date trees, many
vegetables well known in the oasis such as melon,
pepper and corette (mallow) are able to generate
acceptable incomes. Other vegetables are generating
fewer incomes, but with technical training, farmers
can improve their yields and get from them better
incomes.
Fruit trees are Know juvenile, but in a few years,
farmers of Zakaria ADG will benefit from them.
Seed production, especially vegetables and fodder
(alfalfa), is also another important source of
incomes. The major part of farmers is producing and
conserving them.
Diversification of the farming system in Zakaria oasis was for farmers the base to create the
development group. Indeed, ex workers of STIL learned how to resolve conflicts about water share
since 2001 when was created their water share association. They had exchange habits of seeds and
vegetative organs to multiply plants… But many other more serious problems appeared such as
drainage, a worsening irrigation network, problems abut land tenure, price of water extraction is
increasing, drills are collapsing and especially sell prices of dates are staying low because of
exportation companies which dominate the dates market. The solution was to switch from water
share association to Agricultural development group in 2007 by a governmental decision
respectfully to the law n° 43 dated in May, 10th
, 1999; changed by the law n° 24 dated in Mars, 14th
,
2004.
Group Foundation and goals Management Achievements
Zakaria
Agricultural
development
group
Founded in 2007
Goals:
- Management of the oasis: common natural
resources
- Maintenance of common infrastructure of
the oasis: drills, drains, irrigation network…
- Water share
- Common purchase of inputs
- Common commercialisation of production
- Regulation of conflicts
- President
- Treasurer
- 04 members
Internal comity:
- 01 manager
- 03 members:
Technicians
- 02 water dispensers
- Maintenance of drains
- Water share
- Conflicts regulations
- Conservation of some
natural resources
Institutional profile of Zakaria Agricultural development group
Many governmental and non governmental institutions were involved to help farmers to go through
this challenge, such as the Regional commissariat for agricultural development, the Promotion
Agency for Agricultural Investments and the National Agricultural Bank. An other institution was
involved: Vocational training and extension centre, through a convention signed with a local and an
external NGO.
While the group created, many achievements have been done. Indeed drains are maintained
commonly, conflicts about water share are scarcer and some natural resources are conserved.
By resolving together little constraints, they start now thinking about the more serious ones, such as
value chains of dates sector and land tenure; They are requiring to the government to be seriously
involved to help them not only by making decisions but by supporting them technically and
economically.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
GVA (TD)
Palm date tree
Alfalfa
Carott
Onion
Chard
Okra
Corette
Pepper
Melon
01 TD = 0.5 Euro
Profitability of a surface of 6 m x 13 m cultivated
with 02 palm date trees and another associated crop