Tunisia Launches Its First General Agricultural Census to Establish an Accurate and Comprehensive Database
The official launch of the national project for the first General Agricultural Census was announced today, Friday, October 30, 2026, at the City of Sciences in Tunis. This step aims to modernize structural data for the agricultural sector and establish a comprehensive and accurate digital database covering its various components and agricultural holdings across the republic.
Providing Updated and Detailed Data
Nabil Zarrouk, head of administrative management at the Directorate of Agricultural Affairs within the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, stated to Mosaique FM that the actual kickoff of the census project represents a strategic step toward providing updated and detailed data to help diagnose the current state of the agricultural sector and determine its needs and priorities.
Zarrouk explained that the census will cover all agricultural holdings across the various governorates of the republic, offering a precise database that can be utilized to formulate development programs, guide public policy, and inform decision-making within the sector.
He added that the outcomes of this effort will contribute to rationalizing the subsidy system and directing it to eligible farmers, as well as identifying the sector’s actual requirements for seeds, fertilizers, and other production inputs, thereby improving planning and resource management.
Fieldwork Commences in November
Regarding the implementation phases, Zarrouk indicated that field operations will begin in November 2026. Census enumerators and supervisors will visit various agricultural regions for direct engagement with farmers to collect data on their holdings using modern digital tablets.
Field data collection is expected to span a period of six to eight months, aiming for completion prior to the launch of the 2027–2028 agricultural season.
The Ministry of Agriculture official emphasized the significance of this census in updating the sector’s structural data, noting that the last comprehensive count dates back to 2005. He considered the anticipated findings a foundational reference point for supporting agricultural investment, refining the targeting of development policies and programs, and enhancing sector sustainability.
This first General Agricultural Census holds strategic importance as a tool to deliver a complete picture of agricultural activity in Tunisia, enabling data-driven decision-making, advancing agricultural development, and reinforcing food security.