Assessment of the Agroecological Transition of Farms in Central Tunisia Using the TAPE Framework

Inès Gharbi (), Fatma Aribi, Hassen Abdelhafidh, Nouha Ferchichi, Lamia Lajnef, Wael Toukabri and Mohamed Jaouad
Additional contact information
Inès Gharbi: Rural Economy Laboratory (LR16INRAT07), National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Ariana 2049, Tunisia
Fatma Aribi: Economy and Rural Societies Laboratory (LR16IRA05), Arid Regions Institute of Medenine, University of Gabès, Medenine 4119, Tunisia
Hassen Abdelhafidh: Agricultural Production Systems and Sustainable Development Laboratory (LR03AGR02), Higher School of Agriculture of Mograne, University of Carthage, Mograne 1121, Tunisia
Nouha Ferchichi: Agronomic Sciences and Techniques Laboratory (LR16INRAT05), National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Ariana 2049, Tunisia
Lamia Lajnef: Agricultural Production Systems and Sustainable Development Laboratory (LR03AGR02), Higher School of Agriculture of Mograne, University of Carthage, Mograne 1121, Tunisia
Wael Toukabri: Agronomic Sciences and Techniques Laboratory (LR16INRAT05), National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Ariana 2049, Tunisia
Mohamed Jaouad: Economy and Rural Societies Laboratory (LR16IRA05), Arid Regions Institute of Medenine, University of Gabès, Medenine 4119, Tunisia

Resources, 2025, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-23

Abstract: In Tunisia, the agricultural sector faces multiple challenges that affect both productivity and farmers’ livelihoods. Although agroecology is increasingly recognized as a pathway to sustainable agriculture, the extent of its adoption by farmers remains unclear. This study assesses the agroecological performance of 50 farms in the Sbikha delegation of the Kairouan governorate (Central Tunisia), using the Tool for Agroecological Performance Evaluation (TAPE), developed by the FAO. This tool assesses how existing cropping systems align with the 10 principles of agroecology and explores their potential for further transition. The results reveal a modest level of agroecological adoption, averaging only 41%. Several factors influence this outcome, including limited farmer knowledge and technical capacity, a weak institutional and organizational framework, and low diversification of cropping systems. Furthermore, three types of farms were identified based on their production systems: farms specializing in fruit trees, farms specializing in cereal and vegetable crops, and farms specializing in olive and vegetable crops. Among these, fruit tree farms exhibit a higher level of agroecological transition, averaging 51%. This increased diversification enhances resilience to market fluctuations. To accelerate the agroecological transition, several key measures should be implemented. Updating land property titles would improve access to credit by enabling farmers to provide the necessary guarantees. Additionally, targeted training programs and awareness-raising initiatives could strengthen technical capacities, thereby facilitating the adoption of agroecological practices. These interventions would enhance farmers’ economic resilience, support sustainable agricultural production, and promote equitable rural development.

Keywords: agroecology; household-level; performance assessment; TAPE; Kairouan governorate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/14/5/81/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/14/5/81/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jresou:v:14:y:2025:i:5:p:81-:d:1658755

Access Statistics for this article

Resources is currently edited by Ms. Donchian Ma

More articles in Resources from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().