81303835-Mise en oeuvre de la composante du projet ReGnR sur la creation d'emplois et l'amelioration des revenus a Jendouba

Tunisia is exposed to a recurring lack of water and large regional disparities in the distribution of available water resources. Irrigated agriculture, overexploitation and uncontrolled use of groundwater as well as the negative effects of climate change (rising temperatures, frequency of periods of drought, variability of precipitation, etc.) put additional pressure on the availability of this already rare resource. Given that rain-fed agriculture covers 90% of agricultural land, produces 60% of agricultural production and guarantees 70% of total agricultural income, we are witnessing an ever-increasing vulnerability of the rural population linked to the disruptions in rainfall observed in recent years. The most affected remain farmers with small areas and who only practice rain-fed agriculture as their only source of income. Their situation is made worse by the fact that they not only have little access to knowledge about sustainable rainwater management but also to alternative income opportunities. The issue of water management, governance and control seems today to be a national priority in Tunisia, given the serious socio-economic consequences that can be induced in the long term by a water deficit. To address the above-mentioned challenges the ReGnR project aims to catalyze management of natural resources that is resilient to climate change, through the improvement of their governance. It supports the implementation structures of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries (MARHP) for the valorization of green water and soil preservation. In accordance with national natural resource conservation strategies and climate policy, the project pursues a systemic approach that links the management of soil and water resources to Tunisia's climate policy. Furthermore, the project intends to support initiatives to improve income and create new employment opportunities for the rural population, by supporting agricultural entrepreneurship that is concerned with but also promotes the sustainable management of water and soil resources. The main products of the ReGnR project are: (1) Municipalities, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), agricultural professional associations and farmers have implemented green water use measures. (2) Employment and income opportunities for the population in the water-soil-climate nexus are improved. (3) Data on the use of green water have been integrated into Tunisia's sectoral and climate strategies (digitalization). The target group of the project is the rural population in the implementation area, and in particular individual and/or organized farmers and project leaders in the governorate of Jendouba, with particular emphasis on women. The central actors and the final target groups will benefit in particular from training, advisory support in terms of organization and processes. Networking with the Ministry of the Environment for the implementation of climate policy will be supported.