Tunisia Prepares for First-Ever National Agricultural Census
Tunis – Prime Minister Sarra Zaâfrani Zenzeri chaired a restricted ministerial council meeting today at the Government Palace in Kasbah to review preparations for Tunisia’s inaugural General Agricultural Census. The high-level session underscored the significance of this landmark national project, marking the country’s first comprehensive statistical survey of the agricultural sector.
A Pioneering National Initiative
The council emphasized that the census will produce a critical reference database, offering up-to-date and detailed statistical indicators at the smallest territorial level (imadat or agricultural zone). It will also generate georeferenced digital data on farm holdings, providing unprecedented insights into Tunisia’s agricultural landscape.
Key Objectives of the Census
The government outlined four primary goals for the project:
- Evidence-Based Policymaking – Developing sectoral strategies grounded in scientific data to enhance decision-making.
- Improved Governance & Investment – Optimizing development programs, directing investments more effectively, and supporting small-to-medium farms and agricultural cooperatives. The initiative also aims to maximize the economic potential of farmland as a driver of growth.
- Strengthening Agricultural Statistics – Enhancing the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Maritime Fisheries’ statistical program to ensure data reliability.
- Digital Transformation – Advancing the ministry’s strategy to digitize the agricultural sector.
Call for Coordinated Action
In her closing remarks, PM Zaâfrani Zenzeri urged all stakeholders—including ministries, central agencies, and regional structures—to collaborate closely in executing the census. She stressed the need for a participatory action plan to achieve the project’s strategic objectives, calling it a “national priority.”
The census represents a major step toward modernizing Tunisia’s agricultural sector, with outcomes expected to shape policies, attract investment, and bolster food security. Further updates on implementation timelines will follow in the coming weeks.
