Outline of the Project

Project Name

The Project for the Development of Irrigated Areas of Northern Tunisia (DPINT)

Country

Tunisia

Project Site

Nefza (Béja Governorate), Sedjnane (Bizerte Governorate), Fernana (Jendouba Governorate) in Northern Tunisia

Term of Cooperation

From October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2013

Implementation Agencies

Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fishery (MARHP),
General Direction of Rural Engineering and Water Management (DGGREE)
Agricultural Training and Extension Agency (AVFA)

Background

Most agriculture land in Tunisia is located in arid or semi-arid areas. Water supply for agriculture during the dry season in Tunisia is a major problem. Japanese three yen loan projects, which are "Water Pipeline Construction and Irrigation Project in the North of Tunisia"(L/A1996), "Irrigated Project of Goubellat"(L/A1998) and "Irrigated Project of Barbara "(L/A1998) have been conducted in order to improve the stability of agricultural production and to increase yields. After the completion of the construction of facilities, it was expected to use water resources efficiently, to stabilize agriculture production and to increase yields.

However, by the evaluation study in 2006 to 2007 on the above projects by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the problems such as low extension rate of irrigated land, little increased yield, and low collection rate of water charge were observed.

Therefore, JBIC conducted Special Assistance for Project Sustainability (SAPS) to establish manuals and action plans for the full utilization of irrigation systems. These manuals and action plans presented to MARH. Due to lack of enough human resources and limited budget, etc. of MARH, certain progress has been made for some items indicated in the action plans but some other items have not been taken into action yet.

According to the above reasons, MARH requested to assist the implementation of the effective utilization of the irrigated areas in Béja, Bizerte and Jendouba.

Purpose

In pilot sites of Nefza, Sedjnane and Fernana irrigated areas, the models of irrigation agriculture are achieved, and the extension system which can be adaptable in all the irrigated areas is developed.

Output

1. Natural situation, agriculture condition, farming support and extension system supported by CRDA (Regional Commissionership for Agricultural Development) and GDA (Grouping for Development of Agriculture and Fishery), etc. in the 3 irrigated areas are grasped.
2. The irrigation agriculture which serves as a model of irrigation agriculture at pilot sites is established.
3. The farming extension support system by CRDA and GDA is strengthened.
4. The results of activities of the Project are shared among the persons/organizations related in irrigated areas.

Project Activities

Input

Japanese Side:

1. Dispatch of Japanese experts
   Team leader (Chief Advisor), Irrigation technique/Water management, Agronomy, Project Coordinator/ Assistance for peasant activities
2. Provision of Machinery and Equipment
   Motorbike, Vehicle, Tractor, Sprinkler, Water meter, PC, Equipment for training (Projectors) etc.
3. Local expense
   Employment of Local consultants, Budget for Questionnaire survey, Dissemination, Training, Seminar, Translation, etc.
4. Counterparts (C/P) training in Japan or in the third countries

Tunisian Side:

1. Assignment of C/P
   • (a) Central level
     Staff in DGGREE, AVFA etc.
   • (b) Local government level
     Staff in CRDA (Béja, Bizerte and Jendouba)
   • (c) Irrigated area level
     Staff in GDA (Nefza, Sedjnane and Fernana)
2. Provision of office
3. Necessary cost for C/P, Domestic transportation fees for training, etc.