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This research work was implemented under the CGIAR Initiative on “Transformational Agroecology across Food Land and Water Systems” in the framework of the WP3 “Inclusive Business Models and Financing Strategies” led by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA. The aim of the work package 3 is to develop an inclusive Business Model that facilitates the agroecological transition through potential value chains. The objective of this report is to analyze, map and select the main value chain with potential to integrate the agroecological transition in the Kef-Siliana transect. The methodology is based on secondary data analysis, a rapid value chains analysis, agroecological assessment, focus group discussions and participatory approach with the main stakeholders. A participatory approach was adopted through 4 focus group discussions at the living lab level with all the relevant stakeholders through the organization of two workshops in Kef and Siliana governorates. The selection of the value chains by the members of the living lab was done according to a global evaluation matrix prioritizing the value chains based on a set of predefined criteria (economic, social, and environmental) of impact and feasibility. In the second step of the participatory approach, two workshops on main value chains identification, prioritization and actors mapping took place on December 8th and 15th, 2022 in Siliana and El Kef (North-West Tunisia). The number of participants was 33 and 30 in Kef and Siliana, respectively. In the plenary sessions of the workshops, the attendants were asked to choose the value chains (VC) the most adapted to the region based on economic, social, and environmental criteria. Different agroecological practices such as rotation, crop diversification, forage association, inputs reduction, recycling, etc., are revealed by the farmers interviewed during the focus group discussions. The 13 agroecological principles applied to the value

The mountain of Kesra is located at an altitude of 1245 m with a very uneven relief. It belongs to the upper semi-arid bioclimatic stage. The range of soils is very diverse due to the extreme variability of substrates, climates, and plant species. Despite the richness of natural resources and heritage, and the ancestral know-how of local populations, the region of Kesra, continues to suffer from economic and social underdevelopment. Standard applications, which do not take into account the specificities of each area, often do not achieve the objectives of ecodevelopment and sustainability. The application of a holistic agroecological transition approach in this rural mountain area requires an inclusive co-design which takes into consideration the socio-ecological context (Natural resources use, agricultural practices, agroforestry, etc.). So, the main objective was to define and build context-specific agroecological transition pathways throw a solid methodology which combines literature review, consultation, and focus group discussions. The visioning approach was conducted with 12 farmers from the community to reflect on the state of agriculture in Kesra and to identify a desirable future of agriculture in 10 years (2022-2032) from their own perspective. This vision was discussed and debated referred to the 13 principals of agroecology. The AE transition pathway identified in Kesra suggests an emphasis on the diversification of local and natural based products to insure synergies between system components as a basis of a swift transition. The resulting impact pathway promotes increasing resilience to market and climate change, economic autonomy, diversifying market, and promotion of local products. Based on this approach and other research activities a set of actions will be executed during 2023 and 2024 to monitor the co-designed transition pathways and to scaling-up the agroecological transition in the mountainous areas like Kesra.

This research work was implemented under the CGIAR Initiative on “Transformational Agroecology across Food Land and Water Systems” in the frame of the WP3 “Inclusive Business Models and Financing Strategies” led by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA. The aim of the work package 3 is to develop an inclusive Business Model that facilitates the agroecological transition through potential value chains. The objective of this report is to analyze, map and select the main value chains with potential to integrate the agroecological transition. The methodology is based on the secondary data analysis, rapid value chains analysis, agroecological assessment, focus group discussions and participatory approach with the main stakeholders. This report is organized in four sections: Section 1 provides an overview of the descriptive national statistics on kef and Siliana governorates. Section 2 presents the results obtained from the focus group discussions conducted at the living lab level. Section 3 analyzes, maps, and selects the main value chains with potential to integrate the agroecological principles. A SWOT analysis is also performed in this section and finally, section 4 concludes and provides a proposed business model value chain. As mentioned, a participatory approach was adopted through 4 focus group discussions at the living lab level and at the value chain level with all the relevant stakeholders through the organization of two workshops in Kef and Siliana governorates. The first focus group took place on October 5th, 2022, in El Kef (GDA Sers Rural Women) followed by three others focus groups on Seliana where the living lab is represented by SMSA 'Ankoud El Khir', SMSA ETTAWEN and SMSA Kouzira. These focus groups were organized on November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2022. The selection of the value chains by the members of the living lab was done according to a global evaluation matrix prioritizing the value chains based on a set of pre

Many questions and debates are being undertaken in the literature about the “context-specific transition pathways of agroecological transformations and their related conceptual, political, institutional, social, and other challenges and opportunities. Pilot projects for Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) are key areas where these questions and related assumptions can be tested, piloted, and reported for better lessons and future conceptualization. In this paper, we present the experience of the One CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology transformation for food, land and water systems, which adopted a transdisciplinary, participatory, and action-oriented approach aimed at enhancing food system resilience, equity, and sustainability. Even though the theory of change (ToC) of this initiative was quite clear and robust, its application on the ground, in seven countries, faced a strong challenge of contextualization, which then guided further adjustments of this ToC to better match local expectations thus leading to locally co-identified (co-designed) transition pathways which are the most relevant to local socioecological systems as well as to stakeholders' preferences and objectives. The paper presents some progress of the initiative implementation from Tunisia case studies thus highlighting a realistic approach (suite of activities), refined with national partners and local communities, for participatory co-design of “Agroecological Transition Pathways” at the living landscape (ALL) and food system levels. The identified (realistic) approach is composed of 10 key steps staring from 1) clearly defining the geographical and conceptual frontiers and intersections between living labs, innovation systems, production system, value chains, socioecological systems, etc. which will then support the clarification and identification of action areas and levels of operation of the ongoing program, 2) Stakeholders' mapping at different levels with identification of synergies and

The purpose of this Context Assessment is threefold: first, to characterize the environmental, social, economic, and political contexts of the Tunisian Agroecological Living Landscape (ALL); second, to understand the data and information currently available in the sub-region of this ALL; and third, to characterize the extent to which agroecological principles are already being employed locally at the ALL level. This report constitutes a basis of information and discussion to conduct an impact assessment. It is also valuable to all work packages in the CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology as it provides critical quantitative and qualitative data and information regarding capacity assessment, policy influence, and other environmental attributes that can guide the implementation and impact of the Initiative in 2023–2024.

Agroforestry-based food systems play a critical role in many dryland regions of the word, including Tunisia. These farming systems offer a range of benefits such as diversification of food and income resources for local communities, biodiversity conservation, and environmental resilience. Fig trees, olives, carob, and honey are common features of these Mediterranean agroforestry landscapes, and their produce is a traditional staple in many cuisines. In Tunisia, fig trees are often grown alongside other crops, such as olives, and under agroforestry-based farming systems that integrate crops and trees. However, in the particular case of Kesra region, in central Tunisia, where agroforestry-based farming systems prevail, there are many signs of degradation and environment stress (resources scarcity, poor waste management, biodiversity loss of figs and olives, decreased food resources for bees, declining health of soil, decreased water availability and natural springs, etc.) including market competition. While this system provides a diversity of food products, the opportunity for valorisation outside the usual markets remains also low. A multistakeholder platform (MSP) engaging the community members of Kesra region around the above problems was set in 2022/2023. The MSP was conceived on the co-building of a shared vision of the local systems over the next decade that fits to the agroecological principles of synergies, economic diversification, social value, and connectivity. Through the MSP, a context-specific sociotechnical innovation bundle was co-designed and being co-implemented as a mean to foster agroecology transformation around the agroforestry-based farming systems in Tunisia. The study shows that an inclusive participatory approach involving food system actors for the co-design of alternative agroforestry systems can lead to co-defining context specific innovations and technologies which offer immense potential for promoting food system transformation towards e

Agroecology is increasingly gaining importance around the world, including in Tunisia: It is defined as a holistic approach to redesign food systems in the purpose of concurrently achieving ecological, economic, and social sustainability. In this paper, we argue that principles behind the agroecological transition of food systems can be fully aligned with the holistic approach of One Health, and we provide an early conceptualization for that. Bridging the approaches of One Health and Agroecology can be a significant promise for enhancing sustainability. This integration provides a means to effectively tackle the multifaceted and interconnected challenges confronting food systems, particularly those related to the health of the environment, animals, and humans. Adopting best agricultural practices and technologies can help achieve this. Some illustrative examples that highlight possible linkages of One Health to the agroecological approaches include embracing recycling and biodiversity to safeguard environmental health, reduce the reliance on chemical inputs, improve productivity and therefore reduce GHG emissions intensity, help combat resistance to antibiotics, antiparasitic, antivirals and antifungals, and enhance food safety. Additionally, prioritizing animal health and welfare within agroecological practices serves to protect both animal and human health, by reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases and further ensuring food safety. These examples have found their practical way in the Integrated Herd-Health Package (I2HP) which is now being co-developed and co-designed by the triangular consortium of ICARDA, National and Regional stakeholders and farmers' groups. The herd structure and fitness component, the feed pillar, and the health component constitute the three key elements of this I2HP. The Integrated Herd-Health Package highlights how Agroecology and One health are interconnected and have the potential to significantly improve veterinary practices, public he

This country brief is an output of the Agroecology Initiative's Work Package 5, dedicated to understanding and subsequently influencing behavior change and actor agency to achieve its goals. It leverages insights from an inventory of agroecology-related initiatives and key informant interviews to extract lessons from previous initiatives in Tunisia. The assessment encompasses their strategies and approaches for behaviour change, actor motivations, theories of change, as well as the successes and failures encountered by these initiatives.

Global population growth will require a 50% increase in food production by 2050. However, the current food system that promotes productivity and competitiveness has failed to provide nutritious food for all and contributes to environmental (gas emissions, pollution) and natural resources degradation (overexploitation). Therefore, a profound transformation towards ecological practices and techniques (biodiversity, natural processes, and recycling) can bring responses for designing and managing agricultural and food systems that are productive, resilient to climate change, ecologically and economically sustainable and socially equitable. In Tunisia, peasant and family farming represents 80% of farms and plays prominent role in social and food security. Olive based farming system prevails as one of the dominantly agricultural production systems in Tunisia and represents the main activity of more than two thirds of Tunisian farmers (390,000 out of 560,000). In the transect of El Kef-Siliana, in the semi-arid region of Tunisia, Olive plots are overwhelmingly owned by small scale producers, which comes with a set of challenges related to escalated soil degradation and extremely poor soil health, low productivity and incomes, and lack of commercial integration into effective value chains, etc. To help olive producers overcome these challenges, a co-design of sustainable agroecological intensification is required, which incorporates technological and organizational innovations at multiple scales with a focus on local value chain development. Current development policies in the region have emphasized inclusive and sustainable "value chains" as a key approach for systems transformation. However, due to the lack of strong administrative expertise in value chains, the implementation and proper use of this approach for rural development remains complicated. Based on this observation, and given the many local development bottleneck for this key production system, the aim of this

Soil degradation is a complex process driven by many unfavourable technical, socioeconomic, and institutional factors. Inversing the soil degradation dynamics requires an integrated approach where a set of soil-friendly, social and organisational actions within the agroecological approach are needed for system transformation. Within the GIZ ProSol project in Tunisia, ICARDA's SWC@Scale project is now piloting integrated interventions in a degraded area of Siliana governorate, Northwest Tunisia, to further enhance the sustainable adoption of a set of agroecological soil and water conservation practices in mixed crop-livestock systems. ICARDA and its National Research and Development partners are implementing a full agroecological sociotechnical package with farm and landscape interventions with forage-based crop rotations, improved grazing practices, mechanical and green consolidation of degraded land, cultivation of Sulla and Cactus opuntia in marginal lands, small-scale mechanisation, capacity development, awareness raising on soil regeneration and support of community organisations. The interventions in the selected community aim to generate system transformation dynamics and re-locate the local marginal systems on a sustainable intensification pathway. The SWC@Scale project further aims to learn from this open living lab experience and track social changes and adoption behaviour of farmers in response to the agroecological socio-technical package's implementation of the “integrated system transformation” actions. Lessons learned are shared with the PROSOL programme leadership in Tunisia for scaling. For that, the project has developed an adapted version of the scaling scan tool which explores the scope for large dissemination of agroecological practices implemented in the study area. The tool led to identify the opportunities and constraints related to the scaling of the technological packages. Notably, the crucial ingredients revealed by the tool are the level o