Introduction of value chains for stress-resilient crops to support the development of sustainable rural communities in Kasserine, Tunisia

Women’s participation in the labour market is very low in Kasserine Governorate and by promoting development of the agro-processing sector, the governorate could increase local job opportunities for women in rural areas. The project will target the Soula area in the region of Majel Abu Abbas in Kasserine Governorate and will be implemented over 2 phases. Phase 1 will introduce stress-resilient crop genotypes (e.g. quinoa, pearl millet and sorghum) and high-value fruit trees like pistachio to 100 women farmers in Kasserine Governorate. Phase 2 will scale up the developed value chain model in other marginalized rural communities of Kasserine Governorate. Around 900 women and their families will be targeted. Drawing from lessons learned from previous integrated rural development initiatives, such as the Earth Institute, Millennium Village Project (MVP) and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), Sustainable Villages Program, the project will build the skills of the women farmers through provision of training and tools, and develop a sustainable value chain model by training and establishing linkages with other value chain actors.