Arabfields, Habiba Masmoudi, Economic Correspondent, Tunisia — Tunisia is continuing its push to modernize agriculture after approving a new wave of investment projects aimed at strengthening farming and fishing activities across several regions of the country. The latest decisions, announced by the Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency, reflect growing efforts to increase production capacity while supporting rural development and job creation.
Authorities recently approved agricultural and fisheries projects worth approximately 10.8 million dinars. The investments will be implemented in the governorates of Mahdia, Monastir, Nabeul and Sidi Bouzid, regions that play an important role in Tunisia’s agricultural economy. Additional financial support was also granted to young farmers in Kasserine, allowing them to acquire nearly 20 hectares of farmland through dedicated land credit programs.
For many local producers, access to financing remains one of the biggest challenges facing the sector. In several rural communities, younger farmers have struggled to expand their operations because of rising land prices and equipment costs. Agricultural cooperatives have increasingly called for stronger investment mechanisms capable of attracting a new generation of entrepreneurs to farming.
“Young people want to stay in agriculture, but they need opportunities and modern tools,” said Hatem Ben Salah, an agricultural adviser working with producers in central Tunisia. “When investment programs are approved, they create confidence among farmers who are considering expanding their activities.”
The latest approvals come amid a broader acceleration in agricultural investment across the country. During the first months of 2026, more than 1,600 agricultural investment operations were approved nationwide, representing nearly 120 million dinars, a significant increase compared with the previous year. These projects are expected to generate hundreds of permanent jobs while supporting production, processing and aquaculture activities.
Government data show particularly strong growth in fisheries and aquaculture investments. Approved funding in the fishing sector has risen sharply compared with 2025, highlighting increasing interest in marine resources as Tunisia seeks to diversify its agricultural economy. At the same time, spending on equipment and production infrastructure has expanded considerably, reflecting a shift toward modernization and higher productivity.
Economists believe these investments could play an increasingly important role over the next few years. Rising food demand, climate pressures and international competition are pushing countries across North Africa to strengthen domestic production capabilities. Tunisia has been investing in irrigation systems, water management technologies and agricultural innovation to improve resilience against drought and changing weather conditions.
Several analysts expect agricultural investment volumes to continue growing through the end of the decade if current support programs remain in place. Increased financing for young farmers, combined with stronger private sector participation, could help expand cultivated areas and encourage greater use of modern farming technologies. Fisheries and aquaculture are also expected to become larger contributors to export revenues as demand for seafood products increases in regional and European markets.
In farming communities, optimism remains cautious but visible. Producers say that while challenges linked to water availability and production costs persist, continued investment offers a pathway toward stronger productivity and long-term stability.
As Tunisia works to modernize its agricultural sector, the latest funding approvals are being viewed as another step toward building a more competitive and sustainable rural economy. If current trends continue, agriculture and fisheries could emerge as some of the country’s most dynamic sources of growth in the years ahead.
