Parliament today adopted an additional article, number 135 of the 2026 finance bill, authorizing farmers to import and use drones intended for agricultural uses. The text, approved by 60 votes to 29 and 14 abstentions, opens the way to a gradual modernization of agricultural practices in Tunisia.
According to discussions held in committee and in plenary, the objective of this provision is to further integrate precision technologies into land use, particularly for monitoring plots, optimizing irrigation and improving phytosanitary treatment operations. Several favorable MPs stressed that Tunisia is lagging significantly behind in the adoption of these tools while they have become common in many Mediterranean countries.
An important step?
Opponents of the text, however, expressed reservations, citing the absence of a clear regulatory framework governing the aerial use of these devices, the risk of abuse or diversion, as well as the need to train operators and prevent incidents linked to uncontrolled use. Other MPs called for strengthening coordination between the ministries concerned, notably Agriculture, Transport and Defence, to avoid any legal vacuum.
The adoption of this system marks an important step in the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. The government will now have to specify the technical modalities, import conditions and operating rules in order to guarantee a secure, useful deployment adapted to the realities of the rural world.
