Poverty in Tunisia remains essentially a rural phenomenon. In 1990, two thirds of the nations poor lived in rural areas. Poverty levels in rural areas can be as high as 13%, almost twice the national average of 7%. Poverty is endemic in the South-East as a result of harsh natural conditions and climatic hazards. Only those who have built up large herds and capital are able to resist recurrent droughts. For many decades, the bulk of the population has adopted survival strategies such as temporary wage labour, other precarious activities and emigration abroad. Although public investments have considerably improved infrastructure, water supply, electricity and other social services, there are still significant pockets of poverty. Women and youth, in particular, are likely to be poor as they have no economic autonomy and little access to decision-making. Small- and medium-scale agropastoralists, who are the most vulnerable to recurrent droughts, are also among the poorest people in these areas.

The programme covers the south-eastern part of the country. This area, which encompasses the Governorate of Tataouine and a large pastoral community in the Governorate of Kebili, Delegation of Douz, is sub-arid and arid. Its main potential is extensive pastoralism and marginal dry-land agriculture, with some scattered recent irrigation. The programme will affect some 10,000 households (66,000 people) in Tataouine and 1,000 households in Douz (7,000 people). The villages hold transhumant land rights over 25 socio-territorial units (STUs), in addition to two inter-community areas. Those households comprise a focal group of 6,500 farmer-herders, and 3,500 rural households that have no significant farming activities (landless). Through its income-generating and diversification activities, the programme will address the needs of about 17,000 young rural men and women who have little access to land and other productive assets.

The programme goes beyond participation, seeking to promote a broad-based partnership between the people, the state and other operators. While a number of activities of general concern will be implemented through public investment and services, the main programme thrust will focus on activities programmed and implemented on a participatory basis through territory- and community-based agricultural development allocations. It is expected that programming and implementation of about 35% of total investments will be under the direct responsibility and control of community-based organizations

For more information, see http://www.ifad.org/operations/projects/regions/pn/des/TN.htm#1213