The President of the Republic, Kais Saïed, reaffirmed his total commitment to the agricultural sector, denouncing both the speculative maneuvers of intermediaries and the bureaucratic burden which is holding back producers. Two successive meetings held Thursday at the Carthage Palace allowed the Head of State to draw up a harsh assessment of the situation in the sector and to call for immediate measures to protect Tunisian farmers.
Call to remove obstacles and simplify procedures
During a meeting with Interior Minister Khaled Nouri and Finance Minister Mechket Slama Khaldi, Kais Saïed deplored the persistence of administrative procedures considered obsolete and restrictive for farmers. He cited in particular the obligation to present documents dated more than ten years ago or to pay taxes deemed unjustified.
The president insisted on the need to urgently simplify procedures related to the transport, marketing and storage of agricultural products, considering that these cumbersome conditions constitute a major obstacle to the productivity and competitiveness of the sector.
“Unacceptable” speculative practices
In another interview, held with the Secretary of State for Water Hamadi Hbeib, the Director General of the National Oil Office (ONH) Moez Ben Amor, and the Acting Director General of the Interprofessional Group of Dates and Fruits Helmi Kalaï, President Saïed castigated the “deliberate” drop in the purchase prices of dates imposed by certain intermediaries.
This manipulation, according to him, led many producers to abandon their harvest, particularly in the regions of Jemna and Blida. He clarified that these practices do not only concern the date sector, but extend to other productions such as olive oil, citrus fruits and various fruits, endangering the stability of the national agricultural sector.
“Zero tolerance” against lobbies and troublemakers
The Head of State denounced the actions of networks of interests seeking to sow discord and manipulate agricultural markets. He promised zero tolerance for these speculative and monopoly practices, ensuring that the State will mobilize all necessary means to protect producers and guarantee market transparency.
Kais Saïed also pointed to “retrograde forces” attempting to erode trust between citizens and the administration by spreading false information and claiming to act on instructions from the authorities. “It’s just an illusion,” he insisted, recalling that state policy consists of supporting small farmers at all stages – from production to sale.
Finally, the president urged administrative officials to fully assume their duties, calling on those who have failed in their obligations to retract, while saluting “the young patriots ready to continue the battle for national liberation”.
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