Comprehensive Review of Action Plans for Economic Water Productivity in Gender and Youth Sensitive Value Chains

Abstract

Tunisia and the wider MENA region face a structural water deficit that makes improving economic water productivity along agri-food value chains a strategic imperative. The reviewed action plans combine technical measures (modern irrigation, non-conventional water, renewable energy), governance reforms, innovative finance and targeted capacity building to raise value per cubic meter while beginning to address gender and youth inclusion. Yet persistent gaps in legislation, infrastructure, energy costs and financial access continue to limit resilience, so the report recommends an integrated Water Management Resilience approach that scales nature-based solutions, climate-smart and gender-responsive finance, digital water accounting and more strategic management of virtual water trade.