Socio-economic Mutations and the Management of Pastoral Resources in the Arid Regions of Tunisia: A Case of the South-East

Abstract

"The practice of stock-farming and exploitation of pastoral resources have consequences: 1) an integration of stock farming into a diversified agro-pastoral system; 2) speed-up of privatization of former collective range land and 3) an extension of arboricole and cereal areas. Development of the agro-pastoral system, together with intensification of production techniques (mechanization, fertilization, irrigation, selection of varieties, genetic improvement) have brought about amelioration and increase in animal and vegetable production on one hand, pressure on and over exploitation of natural resources (soil, water, vegetation) in the region on the other.

"In order to tackle this degradation of resources, the state has undertaken at the level of stock farming zones, projects and actions for pastoral management based on controlled administration of these regions. Despite the relatively vast material and human resources made available for these projects, results recorded remain limited and reflect to a certain extent, failure of state technicians' initiatives. Concurrently with state attempts at management, local populations developed systems and forms of exploitation and pastoral resource administration based on private initiative and producer associations."