Signing of a Partnership Agreement between Tunisia and France to Develop Rapeseed Cultivation

The Tunisian Association for Sustainable Agriculture has signed a partnership agreement with the French Association for Vegetable Oils and Proteins Cooperation and the French Development Agency. The agreement aims to support the development of the rapeseed sector in Tunisia.

This project, which will be implemented over two years, is funded by a grant of 600,000 euros provided by France as part of the Technical Expertise and Knowledge Transfer Fund, financed by the French Ministry of Economy and Finance and implemented by the French Development Agency. Additionally, the French Association for Vegetable Oils and Proteins Cooperation will contribute 228,000 euros, according to a statement from the French Embassy in Tunisia on Wednesday.

The project aims to contribute to the structuring and development of the rapeseed sector in Tunisia. It is based on four main pillars: establishing an information system for the sector, enhancing constructive dialogue between stakeholders to ensure better sector structuring, developing a sector development plan, and identifying and financing priority measures.

This project is part of the partnership agreement between France and Tunisia in the fields of agriculture, rural development, and the food industry, signed in June 2021 to support agricultural development in the country.

The partnership aims to strengthen Tunisia's food sovereignty and establish more resilient agriculture in the face of climate and economic challenges. It is worth noting that rapeseed cultivation has spread in less than 10 years in Tunisia's major agricultural lands, with an annual production of approximately 20,000 tons. It also plays a key role in diversifying crops and supporting land resilience against climate change.

The signing ceremony was attended by the French Ambassador to Tunisia, Anne Gueguen, the Director General of Agricultural Production at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, Ezzeddine Chalghaf, the Director of the National Institute of Field Crops, Tarek Jrahi, and the North Africa Regional Director at the French Development Agency, Cécile Coupry.