“Dynamic Conservation of unique agricultural systems around the

world: experiences and lessons learned”

Lazhar CHERIF: President of the de Association for the Conservation of the

Médina of Gafsa, TUNISIA

http://www.asmgafsa.org.tn/

Historic oasis system in Gafsa, Tunisia

28-29 April 2014, FAO Rome, Italy

GIAHS Scientific and Steering Committee Meeting

Described by modern historians as the « door of the desert », Gafsa the proud

heir of the old Capsa, is the southernmost oasis of North Africa

Hermaion El Guettar : religious monument dating back to the Middle Paleolithic

(moustérien), is a cultural monument dedicated to the source of water (40 000 yrs)

Historic overview

3

Kasba

Ksar

South West

Oasis agriculture

Enhancement of genetic resources of the autochthonous plants around the water source

Development of three layered system

High level of resistance

Palm tree layer

Genetic richness

18 cultivated varieties

Tree layer

More than 20 fruit tree

species are cultivated

Herbaceous layer

Forage and leguminous

cultures

Human ingenuity in land and water management

Working the soil

Water sharing

The historic Gafsa Oasis as pilot system of the

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

project

The activities related to the dynamic conservation carried out are the result of a

consultantion and awareness raising process in synergy with the strategy and

methodology. Promoted by the FAO/GEF/GIAHS project. All the activities are

carried out in partnership with all NGOs active in the oasis, research and

development institutions, government organisations and professional and

international development organisations.

The dynamic conservation of the Gafsa Oasis in the framework of the

GIAHS project

1st GIAHS-Oasis

Gafsa workshop, Tunisia, November 2005

2nd GIAHS-Oasis

workshop, El-Oued, Algeria, June 2006

Capacity building for local stakeholders

Multi-stakeholder process

Awareness raising on the need for biodiversity conservation

Organisation of dates and abricot fairs from the Gafsa Oasis

Sustainable organic waste management

Compost and livestock feed

Fight against soil degradation

Conservation of oasis animal diversity

COMPOST PRODUCTION LIVESTOCK FEED PRODUCTION

BOOKS

Community life in Gafsa and the neighbouring Oasis villages

between 1881 and the 19th century

GAFSA: UNE TERRE, UNE HISTOIRE,

DES HOMMES

Support for poor artisans in Gafsa

Establishment of a weaving centre

THE GIAHS INITIATIVE ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL

Preparation, discussion and approval of a National Charta for

the Dynamic Conservation and the Development of the

Historic Oasis in Tunisia

National declaration for the recognition of

oasis ecosystems as cultural, social,

economic and environmental heritage

The objective: Put in place the basis for a

consensus for the conservation of this

common heritage for current and future

generations

The charta aimes at supporting the

integration of the oasis in national and

regional policiy developments

Discussion of the Charta with

local stakeholders

Documentary film on the national oasis heritage

HUMAN EDEN

Capacity building for

engineers in irrigation water

saving techniques on parcel

level

Capacity building for young

graduates in oasis

agrotourism

Exchange of experiences

between local stakeholders of

GIAHS in Tunisia (Gafsa) and

Algeria (El Oued)

OFFICIAL RECOGNITION BY FAO OF THE HISTORIC

OASIS OF GAFSA AS GIAHS

Project cycle 2010-2011

Window 1

STRATEGIC ACTION PLANS

The Benefit-sharing Fund of the International Treaty on Plant

Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Project PR-355: Promotion of the Recognition of Globally

Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

Global objective: Put in place a strategy for the

conservation and sustainable management of the

biodiversity in the historic Gafsa Oasis

Capacity building for local and national stakeholders in strategy

development for the integrated management of plant genetic

resources and their adaptation to climate change

NATIONAL EVENTS TO DISCUSS THE PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES

MANAGEMENT BY THE COMMUNITIES

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28

29

Capacity building for local and national stakeholders in climate change adaptation of oasis ecosystems

ANALYSIS OF THE LEGAL CONTEXT FOR THE CONSERVATION OF

PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES OF OASIS ECOSYSTEMS

Inventory and SWOT analysis of national and

international legal instruments related to oasis plant

genetic resources

Proposition for the amendment of national and

international legal texts related to oasis plant genetic

resources in Tunisia

LAUNCHING OF THE NATIONAL NGO NETWORK FOR THE

DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORIC OASIS IN TUNISIA AND THE

CONSERVATION OF THEIR HERITAGE

« Development and consolidation of Oasis Development Groups of

women and youth of Gafsa for the support of income-generating activities

through the promotion of oasis products and sub-products »

Co-financed by the European Union

I. Conservation of oasis genetic diversity

II. Identification and promotion of local knowledge

III. Economic and commercial promotion of oasis

products

Presentation and discussion of young representatives of business sectors

Olive and

olive oil

production

Fruit

tree

nurseries

Composting

Essential

oils

production

Weaving

Production

of oasis fruit

juices

Production

of dried fruits

Business

sectors

…but many challenges still exist in oasis ecosystems that depend

to a large extent on external aid which remains essential (financial

means, technical support, capacity building of local stakeholders)

1. Fair and rational management of

water resources in the oases

2. The motivation of agricultural

development groups in the oases

3. The fight against phytosanitary

problems in the oases

4. Strengthening of agricultural

popularisation in the oases

6. Management of the farm lands in

the oases

7. The fight against the land

parcelling and agricultural

urbanisation

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION