Ministerial council sets priorities to strengthen food sovereignty through agricultural development

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Prime Minister Sarra Zaâfrani Zenzri chaired a ministerial council at the government palace in La Kasbah to review agricultural development programs. The Prime Minister emphasized that agriculture is a component of national security, highlighting the need to enhance food security by developing plant and animal production systems, rebuilding national livestock, and improving storage capacities. This aims to mitigate the impact of international market fluctuations and supply chain disruptions. She also stressed the importance of water security, advocating for smart, water-efficient agricultural techniques. The agricultural sector contributes approximately 10% to the GDP, 13% to exports, and 14% to total employment, while being the main income source for nearly 70% of the rural population. The Minister of Agriculture, Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, presented a review of the sector for 2021-2025 and outlined the 2026-2030 strategy, which focuses on natural resource sustainability, productivity improvement, competitiveness, export development, and product quality. The strategy also aims to improve rural living conditions and foster an inclusive agricultural environment. For major crops, authorities plan to enhance yields and climate resilience through production system development, management tool modernization, sector digitization, and increased storage. The Prime Minister underscored the goal of self-sufficiency, promoting the use of Tunisian seeds and great