1. Imen Mahjoub 25 September 2014 Citrus Sector in Cap Bon : Importance and challenges

2. Content I. Economic and Social importance of citrus in Cap Bon II. Challenges 1. Land ownership 2. Water requirements and ressources 3. Pest and diseases 4. Global Climate Changes

3. Importance of citrus in Cap Bon

4. Areas  Area of citrus orchards at national level 0.4 % arable land (in 2013, 23 500 ha).  70 % Area in Cap Bon ( in 2014 : 17 500 ha)  15 000 ha productive in Cap Bon  In continuous increase + 335 ha/year in average

5. Production  Production 240 000 tons out of national production of 330 000 tons (2012-2013) : fluctuating but with ascendant trend  Estimates for 2013- 2014 : 260 000 tons National production 1994-2013 (in tons)

6. Distribution of citrus types and varieties

7. Economic issues  Total value of citrus production at national level 125 million TND  Mainly commercialized as fresh product in local markets  Export : Fluctuating between15 000 and 25 000 tons 14% of total exported agricultural products, 15 million TND in value (2013) 90 % to Europe and particularly France More than 95% Maltaise (light blood orange)

8. Socioeconomic issues  Citrus cultivation provide income to 25000 families and to 3 million seasonal laborers  21 nurseries  16 packhouse

9. Citrus sector in Cap Bon  Cap Bon is the traditional area citrus cultivation  Valuable local know-how  Low yield average 18tons/ha  Constraints of different types : pests and diseases, land and water resources, climate changes, mastery of management practices…

10. Challenges

11. Orchard size and age  Due to land inheritance the size of the majority of orchards is lower or equals 2ha. Average size is 1.4 ha.  30% of citrus area in the traditional cultivation zones of Menzel Bouzelfa, beni khalled, Bouargoub and Soliman contains trees of more than 40 years old.  The subsidies of 600 TND/ha (260 EURO) are not enough to encourage the replacement of old trees of low productivity

12. Water Requirements VS resources

13. Water requirements and rainfall  Water requirements of citrus 900 -1200 mm/year  Rainfall 400-700 mm - 70% October – February. Irrigation covers the rest of the year coinciding with high climatic demand

14. Irrigation water ressources : Aquifers  Management : private wells  Constraints : Lowering of aquifer level Water table rise Increasing Salinity (3-7 g/l )

15. Irrigation water ressources : Surface water  Mobilized from Northen Tunisia with captions on local dams.  Management : Public water network. Distribution to farmers managed by 9 associations of farmers (GDA’s).  Suitable quality : salinity 1-1.5 g/l

16. Water deficit  Limited ressource CMCB originally intended as a complementary ressource  water quota is 80 million m 3, recieved 50 million m 3  priority to vegetable crops  competition with urban, industrial and touristic uses  GDA’s recieve water during 2 days out of 4 days.  Supply time unfiting crop demand  Water shortage in July and August  Over irrigation in big farms (storage ponds)

17. Salinity  Over use of aquifers and transgression of the laws limiting or prohibiting drilling wells increases salinity levels  Use of irrigation water from aquifers with high salts content and even with fair quality under water deficit conditions results in soil salination

18.  Continuous area extension contrasting with water scarcity

19. Pests and diseases

20. Mediterranean fly  Still causing damages for unsufficient managment strategy mainly based on chemicals essentially in traditionnal areas of citrus cultivation  The integrated management based on traps which efficiency has been proved in Takelsa should be extended

21. Aphids  causing damages on canopy and weakening trees  Risks of diseases transmission

22. Root diseases  Phytophtora (photo on the bottom) and Fusarium (photo on the bottom)  Over irrigation or rise of water table  besides chemicals, drainage network and better irrigation management are necessary

23. Alternaria  Damages on leaves (upper photo) and loss of fruit quality (photo on the bottom)

24. Other fungi  Anthracnosis  Malsecco on lemon trees

25. Bacteria  Citrus blast

26. CTV risks  Sour orange the main rootstock  Very few orchards use tolerant rootstks  Certification system in nurseries

27. Global climate changes

28. Impact of Global Climate Changes in Tunisia  Different regime of rainfall : 10% reduction in amounts of rainfall Longer periods of drought heavy storms  Temperature elevation : Higher water demand Eventual disturbance Of plant growth and development Of pests development leading to higher yield loss

29. Impact GCC on citrus  Higher water demand and lower water availabality  more frequent use of irrigation and higher risks of soil salination  Disturbance in development cycle: winter rest and flower production  Thermal stress, impact on growth and production  Possible reduction in fruit production and quality

30. Thank You