• Tunisian farmers are bracing for a catastrophic cereal harvest as the country's reservoirs lie near empty and the authorities impose water restrictions to ensure that households have enough to drink. All photos: AFP
    Tunisian farmers are bracing for a catastrophic cereal harvest as the country's reservoirs lie near empty and the authorities impose water restrictions to ensure that households have enough to drink. All photos: AFP
  • At a time when the global cereals market has been disrupted by the Ukraine war, Tunisia's domestic grain production has also withered under a lack of rainfall that has killed crops
    At a time when the global cereals market has been disrupted by the Ukraine war, Tunisia's domestic grain production has also withered under a lack of rainfall that has killed crops
  • Even before the roasting summer months, the soil is dry and dusty in the small Mediterranean country
    Even before the roasting summer months, the soil is dry and dusty in the small Mediterranean country
  • With some Tunisian water reservoirs almost completely dry, authorities imposed emergency measures last month, rationing household supplies and banning water use for washing cars – as well as for irrigating fields
    With some Tunisian water reservoirs almost completely dry, authorities imposed emergency measures last month, rationing household supplies and banning water use for washing cars – as well as for irrigating fields
  • The shortages come at a critical time for Tunisia, a net importer of wheat that has been hit hard by price hikes since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both huge cereals exporters
    The shortages come at a critical time for Tunisia, a net importer of wheat that has been hit hard by price hikes since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both huge cereals exporters
  • A painful cost-of-living crisis is compounding woes as the government is in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package
    A painful cost-of-living crisis is compounding woes as the government is in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package
  • Tunisia – a country of 12 million where almost every meal involves bread, couscous or other cereals-based food – needs three million tonnes of wheat and barley a year
    Tunisia – a country of 12 million where almost every meal involves bread, couscous or other cereals-based food – needs three million tonnes of wheat and barley a year
  • Normally around two-thirds of this comes from overseas, but with the Ukraine war showing no signs of abating, that option looks expensive or even impossible
    Normally around two-thirds of this comes from overseas, but with the Ukraine war showing no signs of abating, that option looks expensive or even impossible
  • The lack of rain has left reservoirs at historic lows of less than a third of capacity nationwide
    The lack of rain has left reservoirs at historic lows of less than a third of capacity nationwide
  • The biggest, located at Sidi Salem, a short drive from Chaouachi's farm, is filled to just 16 per cent of capacity
    The biggest, located at Sidi Salem, a short drive from Chaouachi's farm, is filled to just 16 per cent of capacity
  • The area has seen less than 10 centimetres (four inches) of rain since the autumn, pushing farmers either to plough withered crops back into the soil or harvest the stalks for animal feed
    The area has seen less than 10 centimetres (four inches) of rain since the autumn, pushing farmers either to plough withered crops back into the soil or harvest the stalks for animal feed
  • Farming and fishing union UTAP has called on the government to urgently announce a drought and state of water 'emergency'
    Farming and fishing union UTAP has called on the government to urgently announce a drought and state of water 'emergency'
  • Tunisia devotes 80 per cent of its water supply to irrigating just eight percent of its farmland, leaving the remainder to rely on increasingly scarce rainfall
    Tunisia devotes 80 per cent of its water supply to irrigating just eight percent of its farmland, leaving the remainder to rely on increasingly scarce rainfall

MENA

Tunisia drought threatens grain harvest - in pictures

Lack of rainfall in North Africa has killed off crops

The National

April 15, 2023

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Updated: April 15, 2023, 8:41 AM