Balanced and sustainable economic and social development relies, in its early stages, on sound agriculture; this is reflected in significant funding directed to agricultural credit as well as close collaboration between agricultural stakeholders.
This explains the recent signing by the BNA of a 3-year technical assistance framework agreement with the Technical Institute of Field Crops (INGC) and the Tunisians Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (UTAP).
The objective is to support farmers and fishermen and encourage, through training and financing, farmers operating in field crops, self-employment and individual initiative.
The agreement provides for a joint program for the development of technical and financial services as well as the introduction of high technology and the establishment of lines of financing directed exclusively to farmers.
The agreement also provides for the creation of a platform for communication and interaction between the various stakeholders who will be able to benefit from all information and discoveries and scientific developments related to field crops.
To this end, the INGC commits to organize joint events, meetings and training courses on field crops and share prospective studies with its partners in order to facilitate a review and reform of policies undertaken to date.
The INGC will also provide farmers, clients of the BNA and UTAP affiliates, with technical guidance in field crops and develop a training program for engineers working at the BNA and UTAP, technicians and farmers.
The BNA is committed to sharing its expertise in the field of agricultural finance, to inform the INGC on its areas of intervention and to provide financing to affiliated farmers within the limits of what is allowed and authorized by law.
The BNA will also ensure the establishment of a database of farmers affiliated with the bank so that they can take advantage of electronic messaging and be informed on all training and information activities organized by the Institute.
UTAP, for its part, will work to mentor agricultural producers in field crops, select farmers for training and mentoring programs, and invite producers to register in the programmed platforms to access useful information for them. UTAP’s expert technical staff will contribute to the coaching, training and financing program.
Tunisia needs above all to create jobs, and agriculture is the fastest way to create jobs in the private sector. It is also through a thriving agricultural sector that we can achieve food security, a fundamental pillar of national security.
International research shows that economic growth based on agriculture is two to four times more effective in reducing poverty than growth in other sectors. Hence the importance of giving high priority to investments in agriculture.
The BNA, universal bank, but recognized as the one that invests the most in agriculture, confirms, through the signing of the framework agreement with the National Institute of Field Crops and UTAP, its willingness to engage even more in a sector with high growth potential but also an important axis of sustainable development goals in which, it is committed with the United Nations to build a more just and prosperous world
