Field study Tunisia 2003

Host Partner(s): International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Regional Office for Central West Asia and West Africa

Other Partners/Stakeholders: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie (INRAT)

Topic: Oases agriculture - Date palms

Location: Djerid region, South-West Tunisia

ICRA Working Document Series number: 115

Background: Date palms are the pillar of oasis agriculture. They traditionally occupied a central role in the oases social, cultural and economic life, as well as creating the environmental conditions that made possible other farming activities (vegetable, tree and forage crops). This delicate ecological balance is however threatened by rapid economic change from a near autarcic to a market economy. Oases are undergoing a severe reduction of their biological diversity, under a greater orientation to market demand. Deglet Nour is increasingly becoming the main variety, making palm date plantations more susceptible to diseases. The joint ICRA-IPGRI study aims at making proposals for in-situ conservation of threatened varieties through a greater use of market opportunities open to other varieties. This was the fourth study in Tunisia, and the second in collaboration with the IPGRI «Participatory management of date palms genetic resources in the oases of the Maghreb». It pursues on the first one’s characterisation of palm date genetic diversity by focusing on ways to better valorise neglected varieties.

Objectives: Contribute to the preservation and in situ conservation of threatened palm date varieties through the valorisation of the products and by-products.

Outputs: The direct and indirect role of women, in oases is analysed. Innovators, experimentators, resource persons and any persons who have specific local knowledge in production, processing, conservation or culinary tradition in palm date are identified, together with associations, families and any persons active in processing and crafts related to palm date are identified. Micro-projects specifically targeted at women and youth are proposed.

Team Members:

Name	Nationality	Institute	Discipline
Amina Bouguera	Algeria	INRA, Algers	Animal production
Ali Doumma	Niger	FSA-Univ. Niamey	Entomology
Harly E. Evina	Cameroon	SODECAO Yaounde	Extension
Naziha Hamdouni (CP	Tunisia	INRAT-IPGRI Tozeur	Agronomy
Johnny Musumbu	R.D. Congo	ISAE Kigali	Agronomy

Reviewer: Dr Isabelle d'Orgeval (France), CNEAP

ABSTRACT

In the Tunisian oases of the Djérid, the increasing importance of the Deglet Nour palm date variety represents a serious threat to the balance of the fragile oasis ecosystem.

This study, a collaborative effort of IPGRI and ICRA, aims at exploring possibilities of involving local stakeholders, especially women, in the conservation of the genetic diversity of palm date in the region by a valorisation of their specific local knowledge.

The study used a participatory and gender sensitive approach to identify and analyse their knowledge of palm date and processing of its products. Results show that there is a rich local knowledge that is likely to disappear due to the rapid socio-economic change undergone by the region. To avoid this disappearance and its serious consequences on palm date biodiversity, experimentations are already under way in the IPGRI palm date project. Other recommendations are made by the study to valorise local knowledge. Considering the fact that most palm date marketed products are based on common varieties, a valorisation of this local know-how would have a positive impact on the conservation of genetic diversity by creating outlets for the varieties. Recommendations made are targeted at specific stakeholders, including women.

KEY WORDS: Tunisia, Djerid, oases, palm date, genetic diversity, women, local knowledge