Adapting to Climate Change Impacts through Smart Irrigation and WEFE Nexus Approach in Ghar El Melh wetland area, Tunisia

Tunisia has been facing increasingly severe drought conditions in recent years, which can be attributed to the effects of climate change and heightened competition for water resources across various sectors. Given that agriculture is the largest consumer of water in the country, accounting for over 80% of total water demand, the integration of smart irrigation systems has emerged as a transformative solution for optimizing water use in agriculture. Reducing the energy required for water pumping is equally critical, as it not only lowers greenhouse gas emissions but also strengthens the sustainability of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus by promoting the use of renewable sources like solar photovoltaic energy.

The area of Ghar El Melh is home to one of the country’s most precious wetlands. The Ghar El Melh lagoon was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2018, while the city of Ghar El Melh is one of Tunisia’s cultural hotspots. Tourism, farming and fishing are some of the most important economic activities. 

Some of the main challenges facing the coastal region of Bizerte, in the north of the country, is the excessive use of water. Expansion of agricultural land led to the loss of natural habitats, a threat to the ecosystem and its associated biodiversity. Sustainable agriculture, farming practices and implementation of smart, innovative irrigation using renewable energy in coastal ecosystems in Tunisia is important for protecting natural resources and biodiversity, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and promoting economic development. The country has been battling a prolonged drought, with significant impact to its agricultural products, at the same time facing the negative impacts of agricultural practices on ecosystems. 

Aiming to address the above, the ASSICI-GEM project represented a unique initiative that takes a holistic, multi-dimensional, innovative, community-based, gender-sensitive, and partnership-focused approach to coastal conservation agriculture using a WEFE Nexus lens. 

It builds and capitalises on the findings of the ‘Conservation and Sustainable Development of Coastal Wetlands with High Ecological Value’ GEMWET project (2020-2021), which successfully implemented smart irrigation systems in Ghar El Melh, and provided the necessary tools and technical support to local farmers.  The GEMWET results showed a reduction in irrigation water usage between 17% and 63%, along with an increase in agricultural production ranging from 19% up to 65%.

In ACCISI-GEM, innovative technologies that utilise sensors and data analytics to monitor soil and crop conditions, and water requirements in real time, enable farmers to optimise the use of available water resources while improving crop yields. By integrating energy-efficient pumping, the overall energy demand of irrigation operations is significantly reduced, enhancing both cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

The objective of the project was to implement an integrated WEFE (Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem) nexus approach in four selected private farms in Ghar El Melh. The intervention was designed to address all four dimensions of the WEFE nexus through both technical and policy-oriented components.

1. Technical Component 

The project aimed to demonstrate the practical application of smart irrigation technologies powered by renewable energy, while simultaneously monitoring the groundwater and deep-water levels dynamics to promote sustainable agricultural practices and enhance ecosystem health.

• Water: Smart Irrigation Systems were installed in four farms. This process included the procurement and installation of equipment, provision of irrigation guidance based on model simulations, and enabling real-time access to information for farmers to optimize water use.
• Energy: renewable energy solutions were integrated by installing photovoltaic systems in two farms, allowing solar-powered water pumping and reducing reliance on conventional energy sources.
• Food: the Agricultural productivity was monitored to assess the impact of improved irrigation practices on crop yields and food production.
• Ecosystem: two piezometers were installed to monitor changes in deep and groundwater levels post-irrigation, contributing to the understanding of wetland hydrology and ecosystem sustainability.

2. Policy Dialogue Component

In parallel, the project initiated a policy dialogue focused on creating the enabling environment for replicating and scaling up WEFE Nexus-oriented solutions. This included discussions on financial incentives, regulatory frameworks, key actors and dissemination strategies at national level. Stakeholder consultations were conducted throughout the project implementation and their involvement and engagement helped foster ownership and informed decision-making among farmers, local authorities, and regional and national stakeholders.

The project ACCISI-GEM was structured around two components:

1. The Technical Component integrated smart irrigation practices and natural resources management, shifting away from fragmented sectoral development. It combined smart irrigation with solar photovoltaic energy sources for water pumping and implemented real-time groundwater monitoring to optimize water usage.

   A real-time monitoring system tracked soil and crop conditions, providing farmers with precise, data-driven guidance on irrigation timing and quantity. This smart irrigation system included in each plot one pulse water meter, two sensors for soil moisture, salinity, and temperature (0–60 cm depth), one energy meter. The system includes one weather station shared by all farmers, equipped with sensors of air temperature, air humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, precipitation. Each plot is divided into two sections: (i) a control section where the farmer irrigates using traditional practices, and (ii) a test section where irrigation is conducted according to the technical guidance provided by the project’s experts. 

   To further reduce environmental impact, two solar photovoltaics panels were utilized for water pumping, minimizing energy consumption. Two piezometers have been installed to measure changes in the water levels of both the deep and shallow aquifers.

   Furthermore, through a series of targeted capacity-building activities, farmers were introduced to smart irrigation systems and trained in their operation and maintenance as well as the benefits of integrated energy-efficient solutions for irrigation systems that promote sustainable farming practices. Customized training was also provided to key institutional actors from local, regional and national levels which focused on the use of the WEAP-MABIA farm-level irrigation alert tool equipping them with the necessary skills to monitor and optimize irrigation practices and energy use. 

2. The second component focused on initiating and fostering a policy dialogue at the national level to facilitate the scaling up and the replication of the successful WEFE Nexus practices in Tunisia. 

   This multi-stakeholder policy dialogue strengthened cooperation among government agencies, agricultural associations, technology providers, and NGOs. By establishing a policy dialogue core group from national, regional and local levels, the project supported the enabling environment for widespread adoption, inspired broader regional cooperation, and addressed climate change and sustainable development through financial incentives and shared best practices. 

   The project developed a common vision among key stakeholders, formulated realistic policy recommendations, and built a collaborative action plan to scale up smart irrigation technologies and solar photovoltaic energy solutions. Discussions covered financial incentives and opportunities for farmers, public policies for replication, and institutional support for smart irrigation and the WEFE Nexus approach in agriculture.

   The policy recommendations were developed using input from a desk-study analysis, targeted semi-structured interviews, and a series of consultation and co-development workshops and dedicated panels during the two multi-stakeholder workshops  (launching and closing workshops) with representatives from the key institutions that composed the core group, including one representative from the Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Development (CRDA) Bizerte, one representative from the Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency (APIA Bizerte), two representatives from the National Institution of Agronomy of Tunisia (INAT), two representatives from the Agricultural Extension and Training Agency (AVFA) within the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries.  Additional contributors included the chief of the Territorial Extension Unit (CTV), two representatives from the Union of Farmers (ULAP), two private agricultural consultants, and financial institutions such as ENDA TAMWEEL.

Technical component Results

Through sustained collaboration with farmers and local and regional partners, the project successfully deployed smart irrigation systems across four farms in Ghar ElMelh, each cultivating different crops including squash, pepper, tomatoes, and potatoes. The systems provided tailored irrigation instructions and generated real-time alerts to optimize water usage. The impact was significant, and the project objectives were fully achieved: 

The implementation of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach within the ACCIS-GEM project has demonstrated tangible benefits across the interconnected sectors.

• Water for irrigation: Irrigation efficiency improved significantly, with a reduction in water use of up to 10%. Water productivity also increased, ranging from 20% to 54%, highlighting a more sustainable use of water resources in agricultural practices.
• Energy Efficiency in Pumping Systems: The integration of solar photovoltaic energy has shown substantial improvements in pumping efficiency. In one case, solar energy covered 64% of pumping demand, while in another, due to technical issues, it contributed only 23%. The solar photovoltaic energy integration significantly enhances energy efficiency, lowers dependence on grid electricity, and supports sustainable, cost-effective water pumping solutions.
• Agricultural Production: Crop yields increased substantially, with an overall rise in agricultural production between 25% and 50%, reflecting the positive impact of improved water and energy management on farm productivity.
• Ecosystem: Groundwater monitoring revealed clear seasonal recharge and depletion patterns. Periods of natural recharge contribute to rising water levels, while subsequent declines are typically associated with increased irrigation water use and reduced replenishment (lack of rain). These fluctuations highlight the importance of sustainable water management practices to maintain ecosystem balance and long-term resource availability.

Overall, these results illustrate how an integrated resource management approach can enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability across water, energy, food, and ecosystem dimensions, reinforcing the resilience of local agro-ecosystems.

Policy dialogue component results: 

The initiation and facilitation of a policy dialogue allowed building a shared consensus among key stakeholders on the enabling environment and the financial incentives for replication and upscaling of the technical interventions at national level in Tunisia:

• Fostered a shared vision and established a common framework among key stakeholders to promote the broader adoption of sustainable agricultural practices through the WEFE Nexus approach across the country.
• Developed actionable policy recommendations aligned with ongoing national efforts and initiated a collaborative Action Plan to expand smart irrigation technologies and integrate solar energy solutions.
• Explored financial incentives and new opportunities for farmers, alongside replicable public policy options for other regions in Tunisia, while reinforcing institutional support for the implementation of smart irrigation and the uptake of the WEFE Nexus model in agriculture.

A Policy Brief, one of the outputs of the Policy Dialogue, included key policy recommendations:

• The adoption of a national Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) policy and the establishment of a formal WEFE Nexus monitoring committee to ensure the steering and effective implementation of the coordination and collaboration model in Tunisia.
• The creation of a dedicated national fund to support climate-resilient agricultural practices.
• Promote financial incentives for the acquisition of smart irrigation systems and solar energy solutions.
• Capacity-building initiatives for institutional actors to enhance their understanding and implementation of the WEFE Nexus approach.

Replication and scaling up 

Building on the successful implementation of the WEFE Nexus approach in the ACCISI-GEM project in Ghar El Melh, a new initiative has been successfully developed and launched, to replicate the model in selected farms in Jendouba region in Tunisia.

The new project demonstrator is expected to directly benefit between 15 to 20 farmers. This expansion began immediately after the completion of the ACCISI-GEM demonstrator and integrates smart irrigation systems to improve irrigation water use and solar photovoltaic energy for water pumping and introduce the hydrological monitoring of the Medjerda river ecosystem. These integrated components aim to promote sustainable agricultural practices while contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.

Lessons Learned and Enabling Conditions for Sustainability: Coordination and inclusive participation at different levels for increased ownership

One of the key lessons learned in terms of sustainability is the critical role played by the active involvement of local authorities and key stakeholders at local, regional and national levels. Their engagement not only facilitated the smooth implementation of project activities but also helped build trust among farmers, encouraging their willingness to collaborate and adopt new practices and technologies. This multi-level stakeholder participation created a supportive environment for innovation and ensured that interventions were aligned with local and national realities and institutional frameworks.

In the ACCISI-GEM project, the initiation of a policy dialogue component proved to be a pivotal step. It enabled the identification of major challenges and strategic entry points for replicating and scaling up the WEFE Nexus approach in other regions in Tunisia. Through structured consultations and inclusive discussions, the project was able to align technical solutions with policy priorities, offering realistic policy recommendations and actions and paving the way for replication, scaling up and long-term sustainability.

Advancing Policy Dialogue for National Scaling and Dissemination
The policy dialogue initiated during the ACCISI-GEM project, will be further deepened during the follow up phase with the new project in Jendouba region, to reinforce the enabling environment and identify scalable financial incentives. It envisages operationalising the action plan and concretely following up on the policy recommendations. This process aims to facilitate the broader adoption of smart irrigation and sustainable WEFE Nexus practices at national level and encourage knowledge sharing and policy transfer within Tunisia and across borders. 

Empowerment and Cultivating a Community of Practice Among Tunisian Farmers

The focus of ACCISI-GEM’s interventions has been with the local farmers, and the same focus will be maintained in the demo project in Jendouba, which has as a key component, the empowerment of farmers and the setting up of a Community of Practice of farmers across Tunisia. This community will bring together farmers who are actively implementing innovative technologies (from GEMWET, ACCISI-GEM, and other projects) and sustainable practices, creating a space for knowledge exchange and peer learning. Through interactions and field visits, members share experiences, lessons learned, and practical insights on tested technologies to inspire others to adopt them. There is great potential from engaging with the WEFE4MED CoP, strengthening the closer exchanges among farmers across the Mediterranean.