Silvopastoral Systems Are Transforming Land and Livelihoods in Tunisia

Abstract

This blog highlighted the pivotal role of the silvopastoral system in Tunisia’s Zaghouan Governorate, where ICARDA, the Directorate General of Forests (DGF), the Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Development (CRDA), and local communities worked together to restore degraded landscapes through the strategic introduction of Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium). Selected for its drought tolerance, nitrogen-fixing capacity, and high forage value, Sulla delivered remarkable ecological and economic benefits across the intervention sites.

Monitoring results showed a 440% increase in biomass production, a 330% rise in plant cover, a doubling of species diversity, and a tripling of the grazing period. These improvements significantly reduced feed costs and enhanced livestock performance, demonstrating the value of integrating resilient forage legumes into rangeland management.

The success of the intervention also motivated farmers to plant Sulla on their private lands, effectively transforming a research-driven pilot into a community-led movement for resilience and improved livelihoods. With stronger livestock productivity, lower feeding expenses, and more stable household incomes, the initiative demonstrated how science-based restoration, local ownership, and the use of adapted native species could turn silvopastoral systems into drivers of rural development and long-term sustainability.