Oasis extension trajectories in Kebili territory, southern Tunisia: drivers of development and actors’ discourse

Abstract

Since the 1970s, the Kebili region southern Tunisia has undergone significant territorial changes due to the expansion of date palm plantations based on illicit boreholes tapping the underlying deep aquifers. These private initiatives, called “extensions”, have developed on collective unfarmed areas, outside historical oases and have raised sustainability concerns. To address the groundwater sustainability, local actors need to build a joint vision of on-going dynamics. The objective of this study is: (i) to analyse the trajectories of the oasis extensions, (ii) to give an overview of the socio-economic and the environmental drivers and (iii) to assess how local actors assess these extensions. The study builds on spatial analysis, on surveys and participatory workshops with actors of the region. The development of extensions was triggered by economic factors and based on innovative ways of accessing water, land, and energy. Extensions, that were first created on lands in proximity of ancient oases then spread further-out to other areas, can be described as spontaneous. Other were developed on lands located far from ancient oases, with the support of local councils in charge of land management. Actors have identified the overexploitation of groundwater as the main threat to the sustainability of the region, but no discussion has been initiated yet on how to deal with this threat. Results derived from this study could support discussions about the future of these areas.

Enhancing community well-being in African drylands through technology-based solutions in the water–energy–food–ecosystems nexus

“…Mekki et al 94 reported a rise in the illicit use of SPIS in South Tunisia's Kebili region, particularly in the areas disconnected from the ancient oasis, during the period from 2015 and 2020. This increase was marked by the deployment of 2400 SPIS systems (Fig.…”

Making sense of on-going dynamics and innovations in oases and newly irrigated areas of North African arid regions: towards more sustainable development pathways

“…Water availability and irrigation frequency emerge as key factors in the layout of irrigated areas in Kebili Region. Mekki et al (2022) assess changes in the agricultural landscape in the same Kebili Region. These authors also provide an overview of the socio-economic and environmental drivers of these changes, and analyse local actors' perceptions of these changes.…”

“…Farmers using irrigated agroecosystems in North Africa have introduced many innovations to get sufficient irrigation water based on both new farming practices and on different forms of agreements between water providers and irrigators (Daoudi et al, 2017). However, these initiatives have not been matched by institutional innovations for the management of water resources at regional level (Mekki et al, 2022). Groundwater depletion patterns have emerged in Kebili and Todgha Regions (Er-rayhany et al, 2022;Mekki et al, 2022).…”

“…However, these initiatives have not been matched by institutional innovations for the management of water resources at regional level (Mekki et al, 2022). Groundwater depletion patterns have emerged in Kebili and Todgha Regions (Er-rayhany et al, 2022;Mekki et al, 2022). Stakeholders, including farmers, acknowledge the need for rules to manage groundwater resources, yet discussions have yet to take place (Farolfi et al, 2022;Mekki et al, 2022).…”

“…Groundwater depletion patterns have emerged in Kebili and Todgha Regions (Er-rayhany et al, 2022;Mekki et al, 2022). Stakeholders, including farmers, acknowledge the need for rules to manage groundwater resources, yet discussions have yet to take place (Farolfi et al, 2022;Mekki et al, 2022).…”