Resource information
The Tunisia agricultural finance study
was carried out in response to a request made in December
2009 by the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) for
support for a study on the key constraints in agricultural
finance. Technical and financial support was specifically
requested for: (i) a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of
the current mechanisms and problems of financing of the
agricultural sector in Tunisia, including those by financial
institutions and from budget resources, foreign direct
investment, and insurance; (ii) a comparison of the Tunisian
experience with successful experiences made in other
comparable countries; and (iii) the formulation of concrete
proposals. The diagnostic part was also requested to include
the regulations pertaining to agricultural credit, other
constraints impeding the development of agricultural
finance, such as costs, profitability, professional
organizations, extension services, research etc., and to
look at the indebtedness of smallholders. It was also
requested that the recommendations help to: (i) better
define the objectives to be achieved in terms of financing
of agriculture; (ii) increase the participation of the
financial sector in financing agriculture; (iii) help
identify need for support by different types of farmers;
(iv) identify new instruments geared at qualitative and
technological changes; (v) reduce the indebtedness of
farmers; and (vi) help improve the subsidies for
agricultural investment. There are two main written outputs
of the Tunisia agricultural finance study. The experts
working on the study have compiled a great deal of detailed
background information diagnosing the current situation,
describing practices in other countries, and providing
recommendations on how to improve the situation in Tunisia.
These details are provided in the accompanying full
technical report, which should be of interest to
technicians. The present report the main summary report
provides a summary of the main findings and recommendations
for policy makers.
