Tunisia : the wheat development program

By this criterion, Project Wheat, implemented in Tunisia during the period 1965-77, was a success. The project was designed to introduce and adapt to Tunisian conditions semi-dwarf high-yield wheat varieties developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico, and to train Tunisians in agricultural research and extension. Many project impacts are only now being realized. Tunisian research capabilities - developed through M.S. and especially Ph.D training of 19 agricultural resarchers (13 are still involved in cereals programs in Tunisia) as well as practical training for 55 others - are now being demonstrated in improved research, extension, and educational programs, conducted without external assistance; and in increased farmer acceptance of new varieties and technologies. During the project, five bread wheat and five durum wheat varieties were developed; Tunisian researchers have since developed two improved varieties of each type. An extension and farm demonstration program begun during the project is now staffed with trained Tunisians and still successful. During 1971-81, Tunisian cereal (wheat and barley) production increased by 5,302,000 MT over the previous 11 years (saving nearly $126 million in foreign exchange costs), and annual per capita production increased from 104 kg in 1970 to 160 kg in 1980. In addition, both per capita cereal consumption and farmer incomes have increased and subsistence farmers are now better integrated into the economy. Crop increases have been used for export and for tourist hotel supply, improving Tunisia's trade balance. On the other hand, increased employment of women in farming and rural industry (due to the migration of men), has had one negative result: greater use of prepared food and consequently a poorer farm diet. Further, not all institutional goals (e.g., integration of research and extension) were achieved, nor was the perhaps illusory goal of food production self-sufficiency. A 99-item bibliography (1960-82) is appended.