Arabfields, Fatou Kouyaté, Economic Correspondent, Algiers, Algeria — In a nation where the land has long defined the rhythm of life, Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed has once again placed agriculture at the very heart of the country’s sovereignty and security. During a decisive meeting held at Carthage Palace on December 29, 2025, with the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, along with the heads of the National Olive Oil Office and the National Fodder Office, the president reaffirmed a principle he has consistently championed: agriculture is not merely an economic sector, it forms an integral pillar of Tunisia’s national security. Coming at a moment when the country is emerging from years of severe drought into a season of exceptional harvests, particularly in olive oil, this declaration carries profound weight, signaling a renewed commitment to protecting farmers, strengthening food sovereignty, and shielding the nation from external vulnerabilities.

The context of this high-level discussion could not be more critical. After prolonged periods of low rainfall that strained water reserves, reduced cereal yields, and threatened livestock, Tunisia has been blessed with abundant rains that have revived the soil and delivered a record olive harvest. This turnaround offers a rare window of opportunity, yet it also exposes longstanding structural weaknesses that, if left unaddressed, could undermine the gains. The president emphasized the urgent need to remove every obstacle facing small farmers, from the moment they harvest their olives to the point where their oil reaches domestic shelves or international markets. These producers, who form the backbone of rural Tunisia, often bear the heaviest burdens when prices fluctuate or infrastructure falls short, and the state, Saïed insisted, must intervene swiftly and decisively to ease their hardships and ensure they receive the full value of their labor.

Central to the conversation was the performance of the National Olive Oil Office, an institution tasked with regulating one of Tunisia’s flagship exports. While acknowledging some progress in expanding storage capacity over the past year, the president pointed out that the improvement remains modest, far below what is required to absorb a bumper crop without depressing prices. In seasons of plenty, inadequate storage forces producers to sell quickly at lower rates, transferring wealth away from farmers and toward intermediaries. This shortfall not only hurts rural incomes, it risks eroding confidence in the sector at precisely the moment when Tunisia should be capitalizing on its competitive advantage in premium olive oil. The president’s call for rapid expansion of storage infrastructure underscores a broader vision: public institutions must serve as genuine buffers, stabilizing markets and protecting citizens rather than leaving them exposed to speculative forces.

Beyond olive oil, the meeting addressed the vital question of animal feed and livestock renewal. The National Fodder Office plays a key regulatory role in supplying farmers with affordable inputs, yet it has repeatedly faced attempts at market monopolization that drive up costs and squeeze margins. Saïed reiterated the state’s determination to confront such practices head-on, drawing on existing legal tools to dismantle cartels and restore fair competition. Equally important is the longer-term goal of rejuvenating the national herd, including sheep, cattle, and camels, while safeguarding indigenous seed varieties. Dependence on imported seeds and breeding stock leaves Tunisia vulnerable to global price swings and supply disruptions, a risk the president is determined to reduce. By prioritizing local genetic resources and rebuilding domestic herds, the country can move steadily toward greater autonomy in meat, dairy, and other animal products.

Looking ahead, the implications of this renewed focus on agricultural sovereignty are far-reaching. If the state follows through on its commitments to expand storage, streamline credit access for small producers, and crack down on monopolistic practices, Tunisia stands poised to transform its current record harvest into a launching pad for sustained growth. Olive oil production, already a global benchmark for quality, could see steady increases in both volume and value, with new markets opening in Asia and South America as traditional European buyers face stiffer competition. Domestic packaging and branding initiatives, ensuring that Tunisian oil carries the national flag proudly on shelves worldwide, will further capture added value that has too often flowed abroad. Higher farm-gate prices and reliable markets will encourage younger generations to remain in rural areas, slowing the exodus to cities and preserving the social fabric of the countryside.

In the cereal sector, where Tunisia has historically relied on imports to meet domestic demand, continued investment in water mobilization, drought-resistant varieties, and expanded irrigation could gradually narrow the gap between production and consumption. Recent favorable rainfall patterns, combined with determined policy action, suggest that self-sufficiency targets once considered distant may become achievable within the coming decade. Livestock renewal programs, supported by affordable local fodder and protected markets, will bolster meat and dairy supply chains, reducing exposure to international volatility that has repeatedly driven up food prices for ordinary citizens. As these interlocking improvements take hold, overall food inflation should ease, freeing household budgets for education, health, and savings, while strengthening the nation’s balance of payments through reduced import bills.

Yet the path forward will demand vigilance against entrenched interests that have long profited from inefficiencies. The president’s insistence that no lobby will be allowed to infringe even minimally on citizens’ rights signals a political will to confront such resistance directly. Successful implementation will also require coordinated effort across ministries, regional authorities, and public offices to translate declarations into concrete projects: new silos and cold-storage facilities rising in key producing regions, simplified loan procedures reaching remote villages, research stations multiplying improved local seeds, and extension services bringing modern techniques to smallholders. When these measures align, the multiplier effects on rural employment, regional development, and national resilience will be substantial.

Climate change adds urgency to this agenda. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events threaten to make recent droughts the norm rather than the exception. By prioritizing water conservation, desalination pilot projects, and efficient irrigation technologies now, Tunisia can build resilience that will pay dividends in decades to come. A sovereign agricultural sector capable of feeding its people through adverse seasons will prove far more valuable than any short-term financial saving from continued import dependence. The current abundance, therefore, must be viewed not as a temporary windfall but as a strategic opportunity to invest in infrastructure and knowledge that will safeguard future generations.

In the broader Mediterranean context, Tunisia’s trajectory could serve as a model. Few countries in the region combine fertile northern plains, a long olive-growing tradition, and a strategic location bridging Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. By securing its agricultural base, Tunisia enhances not only its own stability but its geopolitical weight, able to offer premium food products to partners near and far while insulating itself from global shocks. The president’s framing of agriculture as national security recognizes this reality plainly: in an era of supply-chain disruptions, trade tensions, and climate uncertainty, control over food production is control over destiny.

As Tunisia enters 2026 with soils replenished and policy attention sharpened, the coming years promise a potential renaissance for its rural economy. Small farmers, long marginalized by structural obstacles, may finally see meaningful support translating into higher incomes and renewed pride in their profession. Public institutions, reformed and energized, can reclaim their role as guardians of the common good rather than passive observers of market forces. And citizens across the country will benefit from more stable prices, greater choice, and the quiet assurance that their nation is steadily reducing its vulnerabilities. The vision articulated at Carthage Palace is ambitious, yet it rests on a simple truth: a nation that feeds itself securely stands taller in every other domain. With sustained commitment, Tunisia appears ready to turn that truth into lasting reality.