OVERVIEW

Background to the GRINTA SUD 2026 Seminar

Climate change, natural resource degradation, the erosion of biodiversity and local know-how, and socioeconomic developments are increasingly affecting sustainable agricultural development in arid regions. In Tunisia, as in many other African and developing countries, these factors annually lead to agricultural land degradation, increased unemployment, illegal youth emigration, and a decline in food security.

In the arid and Saharan zones of southern Tunisia, oases have always been major hubs of agricultural production and trade, connecting very distant areas. With their three-levels structure, oases perserve biodiversity among cultivated species, and contribute to the protection of those threatened with extinction. They are the source of cultivars adapted to local conditions and represent a natural heritage of diverse crops with varied uses (human and livestock food, condiments, medicinal and aromatic plants, etc.). The date palm is the pillar of the oasis agroecosystem, effectively contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and the fight against desertification and the consequences of climate change.

Outside the oases, agriculture in the steppe regions of southern Tunisia is essentially pastoral, relying on integrated systems. Agricultural production is limited by harsh weather conditions, marked by sporadic and low rainfall. However, the exploitation of deep water resources and the implementation of good agricultural practices have favored the development of irrigated fruit tree crops, market gardening, and sheltered crops. Furthermore, the historical importance of sheep and goat farming in these arid areas has led to the rise of irrigated cereal and fodder cultivation.

Despite this significant agrobiodiversity, several challenges hamper agricultural progress in arid and sharian areas. The environment is subject to severe constraints such as water scarcity, salinization of groundwater and irrigated areas, as well as the invasion of crops by introduced diseases and pests.

It is in this context, and in accordance to the eight previous editions of the International Meeting on Dryland Farming and Oasis Crops, the Dryland Farming and Oasis Crops Laboratory of the Institute of Arid Regions in Medenine is pleased to invite you to participate in the International Meeting “Resource Management and Technological Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture in Arid and Saharan Regions (GRINTA SUD 2026).” This event will be held in Djerba, Tunisia from March 26th to 28th, 2026.

The participation of researchers and development experts representing public institutions, private companies, NGOs, and international organizations in GRINTA SUD 2026 will foster the emergence of concrete ideas and recommendations. These are essential for promoting sustainable development in arid regions through the wise use of available natural resources.

Objectives of the GRINTA SUD 2026 Seminar

The International Seminar “Resource Management and Technological Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture in Arid and Saharan Zones (GRINTA SUD 2026)” aims to achieve the following objectives:

  • Present scientific advances: Highlight the latest research results and agricultural development projects specific to arid and Saharan environments.
  • Assess climate impacts: Precisely identify the consequences of climate change on biodiversity, water resources, and agricultural production in these environments.
  • Promote innovations: Promote biotechnological, agroecological, and hydraulic innovations adapted to the constraints of arid and saharan regions.
  • Develop sustainable strategies: Propose sustainable resource management approaches and resilience strategies for rural communities in arid and saharan regions.
  • Strengthen cooperation: Intensify scientific collaboration at the regional and international levels in agricultural research and development in arid and saharan regions.
  • Promote exchanges: Stimulate scientific and technical exchanges between researchers, experts, and professionals on the major challenges of agriculture in arid and saharan zones.

In the arid and Saharan zones of southern Tunisia, oases have always been major hubs of agricultural production and trade, connecting very distant areas. With their three-levels structure, oases perserve biodiversity among cultivated species, and contribute to the protection of those threatened with extinction. They are the source of cultivars adapted to local conditions and represent a natural heritage of diverse crops with varied uses (human and livestock food, condiments, medicinal and aromatic plants, etc.). The date palm is the pillar of the oasis agroecosystem, effectively contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and the fight against desertification and the consequences of climate change.

Outside the oases, agriculture in the steppe regions of southern Tunisia is essentially pastoral, relying on integrated systems. Agricultural production is limited by harsh weather conditions, marked by sporadic and low rainfall. However, the exploitation of deep water resources and the implementation of good agricultural practices have favored the development of irrigated fruit tree crops, market gardening, and sheltered crops. Furthermore, the historical importance of sheep and goat farming in these arid areas has led to the rise of irrigated cereal and fodder cultivation.

Despite this significant agrobiodiversity, several challenges hamper agricultural progress in arid and sharian areas. The environment is subject to severe constraints such as water scarcity, salinization of groundwater and irrigated areas, as well as the invasion of crops by introduced diseases and pests.

It is in this context, and in accordance to the eight previous editions of the International Meeting on Dryland Farming and Oasis Crops, the Dryland Farming and Oasis Crops Laboratory of the Institute of Arid Regions in Medenine is pleased to invite you to participate in the International Meeting “Resource Management and Technological Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture in Arid and Saharan Regions (GRINTA SUD 2026).” This event will be held in Djerba, Tunisia from March 26th to 28th, 2026.

The participation of researchers and development experts representing public institutions, private companies, NGOs, and international organizations in GRINTA SUD 2026 will foster the emergence of concrete ideas and recommendations. These are essential for promoting sustainable development in arid regions through the wise use of available natural resources.