Agriculture in Tunisia is facing critical challenges now with the recent findings on the use of phytosanitary products, which are banned in several countries, including Europe and the United States. This raises concerns about soil health, biodiversity, and food security in the country. Nonetheless, promising alternatives such as agroecology and permaculture are becoming more prominent, offering a holistic perspective for a sustainable transformation of the Tunisian agricultural sector.

As in many countries, pesticides are widely used in Tunisia, which poses potential risks to human health and the environment. Despite their known risks, research on pesticides use and their effects is still lacking. It is challenging to assess the extent of pesticide-related problems in Tunisia and develop a reliable strategy to safeguard both the population and the environment.

In 2022, Tunisia imported 4,161.2 tonnes of pesticides, reflecting a significant 33 percent decrease from the previous year. This decline is largely due to reduced cultivated areas resulting from drought and water scarcity, alongside a general lack of awareness regarding the severity of the situation and the dangers associated with pesticide use.

Due to high competitiveness in regional and global vegetable and fruit markets, farmers resort to using banned pesticides, such as paraquat and methomyl, to quickly eliminate crop pests and achieve financial profits, disregarding human health and the environment.

Press and investigative reports have revealed the excessive use of banned pesticides has taken on a new dimension: those banned in Europe find their way into the hands of Palestinian farmers. Isn't the rule of thumb: what is dangerous in one place is dangerous everywhere?