Page 48 - FULL YEAR BOOK 2021

Tunisia

TUNISIA’S UNIQUE FARMING SYSTEMS WIN RECOGNITION AS

PART OF THE GLOBAL AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE

Tunisia’s traditional Ramli agricultural Hanging gardens of
systems in the lagoons of Ghar El Melh
and its hanging gardens from Djebba El Djebba El Olia
Olia, have been recognized as Globally
Important Agricultural Heritage Systems
(GIAHS), a designation managed by the Perched on the heights of Mount el
UN Food and Agriculture Organization Gorrâa, the gardens of Djebba el Olia
(FAO). It is the second time Tunisian sites form a unique agroforestry system. At
have won the GIAHS recognition, after an altitude of 600 metres, farmers have
Gafsa Oases in 2011. been able to shape this mountainous
Both sites reflect profound bonds landscape to their advantage by
between the cultivated crops and the integrating agriculture on terraces agroforestry that meets the food needs
derived
geological
of the local communities throughout the
from
natural
natural ecosystem, local fauna and flora, formations or by building them out of year. Thanks to the preservation of the
while promoting the preservation of dry stone. forests at high altitude and the multitude
traditional knowledge and biodiversity of species in the tree stratum of the
conservation. Their recognition as GIAHS Reinforced by an efficient irrigation gardens, Djebba El Olia benefits from a
sites will encourage local communities system, the hanging gardens are particular microclimate.
to better treasure and conserve their examples of innovative and resilient
heritage for future generations.
Ramli cropping Production (tonnes) of some agricultural commodities in Tunisia (2017-2018)
2017
2018
practices in Ghar El Melh Item 67000 Flag 66733 Flag
Im
Almonds, with shell

Apples 98300 114222 Im
Ramli, meaning “on sand”, are Apricots 30500 30897 Im
agricultural practices that consist of Barley 478000 700000 *
growing crops on sandy substrates. Cabbages and other brassicas 30934 Im 31709 Im
Unique not only in Tunisia but in the whole Carrots and turnips 218104 Im 217305 Im
world, these gardens were created in the Cauliflowers and broccoli 13566 Im 14332 Im
17th century by the Andalusian diaspora Cherries 5583 Im 5712 Im
to cope with the lack of cultivable land Chick peas 4900 F 4697 Im
and fresh water.
Chillies and peppers, green 429000 426503 Im
The ingenious practices are based on Cucumbers and gherkins 74431 Im 76425 Im
a passive irrigation system where the Dates 260000 241333 Im
roots of the plants are fed throughout
each season by rainwater stored and Figs 25800 25696 Im
floating on the surface of the sea through Fruit, fresh nes 74500 77101 Im
the movement of the tides. Garlic 19509 Im 18549 Im
The traditional knowledge preserved Grapefruit (inc. pomelos) 102722 Im 104593 Im
over the centuries enables farmers to Grapes 152000 146860 Im
maintain the lagoon plots through the Lemons and limes 72300 59933 Im
precise supply of sand and organic Lentils 1427 Im 1069 Im
matter so that the crops reach the right Melons, other (inc.cantaloupes) 101924 Im 102546 Im
height, allowing the roots to be irrigated Olives 500000 825467 Im
by a fine fresh water and not to be Onions, dry 178800 F 183504 Im
affected by salt water. Oranges 186900 144499 Im
Hedges of fruit trees and shrubs on Peaches and nectarines 117000 118662 Im
the lagoon barrier protect the cultivated Pears 19500 20000 Im
plots from wind and sea spray, help slow Potatoes 420000 423800 Im
down evaporation and fix the sand. Such Pulses nes 25771 Im 26102 Im
a multifaceted system makes it possible Pumpkins, squash and gourds 92249 Im 95506 Im
to grow crops all year round without Seed cotton 1926 Im 1902 Im
artificial water supplies, even during Sorghum 1111 Im 1103 Im
periods of drought. Sunflower seed 7572 Im 7430 Im
Today, fishing and agriculture are the Tomatoes 1298000 1357621 Im
main subsistence activities in the area. Vegetables, fresh nes 116261 Im 119661 Im
The farms of Ghar El Melh are small Watermelons 560000 548649 Im
(81 percent have less than 5 hectares) Wheat 1104300 1500000 *
and their primary production includes *,Unofficial figure||F, FAO estimate Source: FAO Statistical Division 2019
potatoes, beans and onions “on ramli”.
Im, FAO data based on imputation methodology
46 Arab Agriculture 2021

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