Study of trends and mapping of drought events in Tunisia and their impacts on agricultural production.

The objective of this research is to explore spatial extent and temporal pattern of historical droughts and their impacts on agricultural production in Tunisia. This contribution was based on monthly rainfall series recorded from September 1973 to August 2016 in 16 main meteorological stations in Tunisia. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) and the annual Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) were computed and used to characterize the gravity of climatic events and their spatial and temporal variations. A database of strategic crop productions and Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (AGDP) variation has been collected from FAO's official website. Based on SPI and RDI, strongly correlated indices (R = 0.99; p < .05), it is demonstrated that Tunisia has experienced several multi-year droughts (3 to 7 years) with different severities. During 1981, Tunisia suffered a generalized drought. However during 1996, severe to extreme humidity was observed over 70% of Tunisian territory (SPI and RDI values >1.5). Series of normal or near-normal years were recorded during 50% of the study period. Variation in cereal production showed the strongest correlation with RDI (RWheat/RDI = 0.66), followed by olive oil (ROlive.Oil/ RDI = 0.45) and citrus fruits (RCitrus/RDI = 0.43). The outputs of this research could be useful for main stakeholders to identify compromised measure (subsidies, insurance) improving management of agricultural activities to mitigate drought impacts at farm level and over production zones.

Assessment of the parasitological quality of water stored in private cisterns in rural areas of Tunisia.

Limited access to safe water enhances poverty, hunger and diseases. This study evaluated the drinking water quality stored in home-based systems, located in rural areas of Tunisia. Water management was also documented as an improvement of good practice as most of the water contamination could be related to behavioral patterns. Thirty-nine water samples from five different sources (rainwater, truck cistern, mix, etc.) were screened for enteric parasitic contamination with the modified Bailenger technique. This technique allowed the detection of three protozoa: Giardia spp.; Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii; Entamoeba coli and one helminth specie: Ascaris spp. The overall prevalence of these intestinal parasites was approximately 97% with a relatively high frequency of protozoa over helminths and more specifically E. histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii. This incidence could be correlated to the lack of hygiene practices, sanitation and education. This situation requires the need for frequent monitoring of the water quality and management in these areas.

Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Prevalence Among Farmers in Central Tunisia, 2014.

OBJECTIVE: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is endemic in central Tunisia and is more prevalent in rural agricultural areas. The aim of this work was to determine ZCL prevalence among farmers and to test their availability to take ownership of the problem and participate actively to fight and address the disease. METHODS: A sample of farmers from Sidi Bouzid, central Tunisia, was selected randomly. Farmers were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire about ZCL lesion occurrence, its date of onset among family members, and the farmers' availability to contribute to fighting this disease. RESULTS: ZCL occurred in at least one of the family members of 38.5% interviewed farmers. The disease was endemic with recurrent epidemics every 4 or 5 years. ZCL among farmers was associated with irrigation management. With regard to ZCL preventive measures, the majority of farmers agreed and expressed willingness to collaborate (93.1%), to follow health care facilities instructions (73.1%), and to join the nongovernmental organization (NGO) (56.9%). However, they did not agree to reduce irrigation activities mainly at night, to live far from their irrigated fields, or to sleep out of their houses at night. CONCLUSIONS: ZCL is more prevalent in farmers engaged in irrigation activities. Farmers are not agreeable to reducing their activity to avoid exposure to the sand fly bites. Thus, population involvement and commitment is required to implement effective control measures to fight and address ZCL.