The creation of a Tunisian-Italian centre, to be set up on Tunisian territory, whose goals will be technology transfer in the grain, diary and mechanisation sectors, as well as treated waste water recycling, was one of the recommendations of the Tunisian-Italian Forum on Food Security, which came to a close in Tunis on Friday. "The centre in question will be set up in one of the agricultural production zones to be determined by the Tunisian side. The project will be funded by the Climate Fund set up by the Italian government to address the impact of climate change on agriculture," explained Director-General of Tunisia's National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRAT) Mondher Ben Salem, who presented the summary report of the forum, held in Tunis on October 19-20. "It was also agreed to consolidate bilateral cooperation between Tunisia and Italy with a view to identifying a substantial mechanism for the financial protection of small and medium-sized farmers operating in an uncertain environment and suffering the effects of climate change," he said, adding that this mechanism will be discussed at the next G7 meeting, to be held in Italy." "It was also decided to set up a Tunisian-Italian working group to draw up a working document incorporating the proposals tabled in the form of a set of sustainable projects aimed at developing sustainable agriculture that is resilient to climate change," the official pointed out. Ben Salem underlined that this forum was divided into four panels dealing with research and development in the agricultural sector; the grain sector, animal production and mechanisation, the use of new technologies in the agricultural sector and financing and insurance against natural disasters. During the forum, the Tunisian side formulated a set of proposals to the Italian side. These proposals consist in particular "in increasing the tariff quota allocated to Tunisian olive oil intended for the European market from 56,700 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes and to setting up a framework for collaboration that will help Tunisia make the most of Italian experience in water management and saving," Ben Salem said. The idea is also to step up research and development, particularly in water technologies, and to forge a partnership aimed at building capacity, especially in the fight against climate change. These proposals will be discussed in the context of future cooperation between the two countries, he underlined. Tunisia's participation in the Forum was led by Ministers of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries Abdelmonem Belati and of Foreign Affairs, Nabil Ammar. The Italian delegation which was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, included Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Labour and Social Policies Marina Elvira Calderone, as well as representatives of professional structures in the Italian agricultural sector.

Source: EN - Agence Tunis Afrique Presse