An important part of the project consist on the transmission and dissemination of agricultural practices applicable in arid and semi-arid context, and promoting soil regeneration through cultural and livestock management strategies. As for numerous subjects practice and experimentation is the best way to learn and integrate new technics. The ambition of the OFDs is to facilitate information and knowledge transmission from partners to stakeholders and within them, through workshop and trainings in the demonstrative agroforestry areas.
Colleagues from ICARDA have coordinated four OFD approaching different topics.
Cultivating Sulla on Farmers' Fields
On November 6, 2024, an OFD was organized at the Chahda lighthouse site in Central Tunisia, bringing together 45 farmers—including 22% women—alongside experts from ICARDA and the General Directorate of Forests (DGF). The event aimed to build the capacity of silvopastoral farmers in Tunisia's semi-arid regions to adopt climate-smart practices that enhance ecological resilience and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Central to the program was the promotion of Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), a native legume known for its role in improving soil fertility, increasing livestock productivity, and conserving biodiversity. Participating farmers received Sulla seeds as well as technical guidance on reseeding, cultivation, harvesting, and utilization. The event also promoted the planting of native tree species such as Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) to restore degraded silvopastoral landscapes and improve ecosystem services.
The OFD underscored the importance of participatory approaches, empowering farmers and reinforcing their sense of ownership over restoration efforts, particularly on state-managed lands.
Strengthen governance and establish Community-Based Organization (CBO) membership
Silvopastoral systems in dry areas play a vital role in improving land productivity and resilience, offering significant environmental benefits while also enhancing community livelihoods. The Chahda lighthouse, managed by the Forestry Department, serves as a pilot site that highlights both the challenges and achievements of implementing such systems. It demonstrates positive outcomes including soil and water conservation, reduced livestock feeding costs, and increased biodiversity. A key element of this success has been the establishment of a governed Community-Based Organization (CBO), specifically the Groupement de Développement Agricole (GDA).
On December 31, 2024, an OFD was held to initiate the formation process of the GDA, emphasizing the importance of participatory governance and community involvement. The event gathered 40 participants, including farmers, staff from the DGF, and a representative of the local agency for agricultural development (CRDA), the local chief, and ICARDA staff. After outlining the formal steps to establish the GDA, an open nomination process for interested farmers was conducted, followed by the election of board members. The newly formed group was agreed to be named "Al-Chahda Agricultural Development Group for Agroforestry System Development," with its headquarters located in the Al-Chahda area, Zaghouan.
The group's mission includes protecting and sustainably managing natural resources, promoting best practices to improve land productivity, supporting livestock keepers in governing rangeland use—particularly within the Chahda lighthouse—and fostering collaboration with other agricultural organizations at both national and international levels. Additionally, the GDA aims to pursue any activities that support the collective interests of its members.
Find the synthesis of the two others OFDs in Tunisia right here.
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