Meriem Zlaoui

Agricultural intensification has increased production and economic growth but has also generated significant environmental and social challenges that threaten long-term sustainability, highlighting the need for more sustainable farming models. Agroecology offers a promising pathway to enhance resilience and support inclusive rural development. In this context, Tunisia’s olive sector provides a relevant case for examining agroecological transitions in semi-arid smallholder systems. This study evaluates the degree of agroecological transition among smallholder olive farms in the Elles region of northwestern Tunisia using the FAO Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE). Based on a sample of 60 farms, the analysis applies the Characterization of Agroecological Transition (CAET) index, grounded in the 10 Elements of Agroecology, to compare four production systems: (i) olive monoculture, (ii) diversified cropping, (iii) olive–livestock integration, and (iv) integrated olive–crop–livestock systems. Economic, social, environmental and institutional performance were explored using the TAPE Core Criteria of Performance (Step 2) and examined in relation to CAET scores. Results reveal a clear agroecological gradient, with diversified and integrated systems achieving markedly higher CAET scores (up to 52%) compared to monoculture systems (31%). Spearman correlations show strong associations between CAET and key dimensions, including synergy (ρ = 0.79), human and social values (ρ = 0.78), and diversity (ρ = 0.71). Several TAPE economic performance indicators, including monthly income, which ranged from approximately 1,349 TND in monoculture systems to 4,892 TND in diversified olive–crop–livestock systems, were positively associated with higher CAET scores, suggesting that agroecological transition may not necessarily imply a trade-off between productivity and sustainability. However, limited collective action, weak market integration, and insufficient extension services constrain broader adoption. These findings highlight the potential of diversification as a key lever for agroecological transition and underscore the importance of targeted policy support.

The dairy sector in Tunisia is based on small-scale farms, with 81% of the breeders owning less than five cows. On these farms, milk is stored in plastic containers, resulting in post-production losses estimated at 10% in the studied region. Due to high temperatures, the present paper aims to study the implementation of an innovative solar-powered milk cooling system in Central Tunisia and assess its profitability for dairy farmers. The methodology is based on a comparison of three small-scale farm business models: a farm without any milk cooling equipment, a farm using an innovative milk cooling technology, and a farm using an electrical cooling tank. Results showed the significance of milk cooling in reducing milk rejection to 0%, leading to a total production of 6400 L per cow by the fifth year. Additionally, milk sales were found to increase due to the premium of 0.010 TND/L for cooled milk paid. In addition, farms utilizing solar-powered milk cooling technology exhibited superior profitability in terms of financial indicators. This research offers a sustainable energy solution for milk cooling on small farms, specifically addressing the challenges faced by these farms located in isolated areas where access to electricity is limited and the availability of milk cooling equipment is lacking.

Consumer awareness about dairy quality increased in the last years, specifically after recent food incidents worldwide (aflatoxin contamination in Europe, 2013, E. coli outbreak in the USA, 2015). In Tunisia, food security and sustainability are at the center of agricultural and food strategies. Therefore, data collected from a face-to-face survey of 214 participants in three cities of Tunisia were analyzed with the aim to identify the general trends of dairy consumption in Tunisia. A factor analysis was conducted to define the way consumers perceive the concept of dairy quality with regards to health and sustainability perceptions. Then, by means of cluster analysis we explore the existence of specific consumer types in relation to dairy quality perceptions, with clear-cut and statistically solid socio-demographic and behavioral profile. Three consumer types were highlighted to evaluate dairy quality, based on different quality dimensions, such as health and sustainability, experience, visible quality, brand name, price and innovation. The results show the emergence of a specific segment of young and older consumers, more educated, and with health and sustainability concerns toward dairy quality.

Due to the decrease of household incomes, the increase of food prices, and the negative effects of climate change on agricultural production, Tunisia faces a food insecurity challenge, especially in rural and arid areas. The purpose of our research is to understand and explore household resilience to food insecurity in two villages, Selta and Zoghmar, in central Tunisia. A cross-sectional survey of 250 sample households was conducted in the villages. Factor analysis and regression models were employed to analyze the data using SPSS version 21. The results indicate that only around 36% of the households were resilient at different levels. In Selta, 62.8% and in Zoghmar 66.7% of the households were vulnerable. As indicated by the factor loadings and beta coefficients, income and food access, adaptive capacity, and the social safety net were important dimensions of household resilience to food insecurity, being positively correlated with the resilience index. However, asset possession, and climate change negatively affect household resilience. Therefore, interventions must target strategies that address the different levels of resilience reflected by the resilience estimators. These estimators were generated by focusing mainly on building farmers’ knowledge of how to face the different difficulties and challenges.