Analyzing tomato production: Maghreb countries become members of the agri benchmark Horticulture Network

Domestic market for tomatoes, Agadir

APAD joins Horticulture Network

In two visits in May and June 2014, researchers from Braunschweig initiated the collaboration with researchers and farmer organizations in Morocco and Tunisia on analyzing tomato production systems. Both countries are among the list of 20 most important tomato producers of the world, and have increased their exports over the past decade.

In May, Walter Dirksmeyer visited the most important production region in Morocco, Agadir, focusing on producing fresh tomatoes for export. The tomatoes, in an increasing diversity of varieties, are commonly grown in greenhouses, equipped with drip irrigation and fertigation systems. The greenhouses are completely closed and designed to keep insect pests out, with double security entrance facilities. Plantlets are grafted on nematode resistant rootstocks.

Yield levels are high with up to 280 tonnes per hectare during the harvesting season from October to May. Mohamed Boughlala from the Moroccan agricultural research institute INRA Maroc explained that the capital investment for the production infrastructure, packaging and marketing facilities is very large. Therefore, it’s mainly the highly specialized farms with about 15 hectare of tomatoes in greenhouses that are able to compete in international markets.

In Tunisia, the producer organization for sustainable agriculture (APAD) initiated its engagement with the agri benchmark Horticulture Network, supported by Aïcha Mechri. A main motivation for APAD is to support its members with valid and up-to date information on the costs of tomato production, based on region-specific typical farms. This information, as well as the exchange with international experts in the network will help Tunisian tomato producers to improve their crop management and to increase competitiveness, says Mr. Ezzedine Ben Mustapha, president of APAD, during the visit of Hildegard Garming in June.

In Tunisia, the first focus of the work will be on production systems of tomatoes for processing. In the Korba region, in the North West of the country, these tomatoes are grown on open fields, mainly by small and medium scale farmers, with plots of around 5 hectare. In July, tomatoes are harvested, with average yield levels of about 70 tonnes per hectare. Hand picking is still the common practice, although the first harvesting machines are being used in the current season.

The results of the first typical tomato farms will be presented at the 2^nd international conference of agri benchmark Horticulture in September 2014 in Italy.

For more information please contact

Hildegard.Garming@ti.bund.de