Farmers warn of looming wheat crisis in Tunisia
Climate change and policy failures threaten Tunisia’s wheat supply.
TUNIS, Tunisia (MNTV) – Tunisian farmers are raising alarms over a deepening wheat crisis, blaming climate change and ineffective government policies for a looming shortage.
A report by AllAfrica highlights mounting fears that the North African nation could face bread shortages in the coming months, raising the risk of social unrest.
Years of drought, soaring temperatures, and irregular rainfall patterns have ravaged Tunisia’s wheat fields, leaving many farmers unable to produce viable harvests. Some report crop failures as high as 70 percent this season.
Without sufficient domestic production, Tunisia is becoming increasingly reliant on expensive imports, exposing the country to global market shocks and food insecurity.
“We are watching our fields die under the sun,” said a wheat farmer from Kairouan.
“The government promises help, but it never comes in time.”
Farmers accuse the government of ignoring their plight, pointing to a lack of investment in irrigation systems, poor access to drought-resistant seeds, and inadequate subsidies.
Bureaucratic hurdles and delayed payments have only worsened the situation, leading many small-scale farmers to abandon their lands.
Tunisia’s agriculture ministry has acknowledged the crisis and unveiled emergency measures, including short-term financial support and efforts to boost imports.
However, critics argue these measures are insufficient and fail to address the structural problems within Tunisia’s agricultural sector.
Food security experts warn that Tunisia’s dependence on imported wheat makes it vulnerable to global price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions, especially in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Rising bread prices are a sensitive issue in Tunisia, where the cost of food has historically been a trigger for political unrest, including the revolution that sparked the Arab Spring in 2011.
Activists and farmer unions are calling for a comprehensive reform plan to revitalize Tunisia’s farming sector, including greater investment in sustainable agriculture, water conservation projects, and incentives for young people to stay in farming.
“The future of Tunisia’s food security lies in the fields,” said a spokesperson for the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries.
“We cannot afford to lose another generation of farmers to poverty and neglect.”
As Tunisia braces for another harsh summer, the wheat crisis looms large over the country’s already fragile economy, posing a serious test for its leaders and a stark warning for other nations facing the twin threats of climate change and agricultural decline.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
