Tunisia’s field crops sector is going through a sensitive phase that requires urgent structural reforms, said Leith Ben Becher, honorary president of the Farmers’ Union and one of its founders.
He called for a revision of agricultural policies and a stronger role for the state in organization and planning to ensure production sustainability and food security and sovereignty.
Speaking to Express FM on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, he said field crops are the backbone of Tunisian agriculture.
They mainly include durum wheat, barley, soft wheat, and fodder crops, sectors directly linked to livestock production, milk output, and national food security.
He explained that Tunisian agriculture is characterized by the interdependence between crop and livestock production, with most farmers combining field crops and animal husbandry, which helps maintain the resilience of the agricultural system despite accumulated challenges.
Ben Becher said that despite positive indicators this season in terms of rainfall and expected output, structural weaknesses in the grain sector persist. He pointed in particular to poor organization during collection periods, complex administrative procedures and a lack of transparency in weighing and sampling operations at collection centers.
He called for stricter oversight mechanisms to guarantee farmers’ rights and preserve product quality.
He also highlighted a severe shortage of ammonium nitrate, essential for field crops, noting that Tunisia consumes around 200,000 tons annually, while only 120,000 tons were available this season, which negatively affected agricultural yields.
