Tunis — Tunisia ranks second in Africa and 24 th worldwide among 141 countries in the production of organic farming with an annual production of 170, 000 tons.

In recent years, organic farming witnessed a great development moving from 300 hectares in 1999 to 285, 000 hectares in 2010. It is expected to reach 500,000 hectares in 2014.

With a view to make known incentives granted in the organic farming sector and to boost the progress of the sector, a regional seminar on incentives and encouragement of farmers was held on Thursday in Siliana with the participation of representatives of various structures of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources and Fisheries.

The seminar focused on the development of organic farming through the adoption of different measures namely development of strategies, practical ideas and plans monitor organic farming in different regions.

Participants stressed the importance of organizing awareness and informational campaigns in Tunisia and abroad so as to make better known Tunisian organic products and its health and environmental benefits.

A cabinet meeting chaired by President Ben Ali on January 27, 2010, focused on the sector of organic farming in Tunisia, in light of the presidential program aiming at doubling the land surface covered by biological farming by 2014.