Tozeur Eco Palm: A preserved oasis, a revitalized community

For the past 2 years, the IRADA Association for the Development of Tozeur has successfully completed its “Tozeur Eco Palm” project, an initiative supported by the PPI OSCAN 3.This program, which began in 2014, aims to strengthen civil society in North Africa by supporting concrete projects on the ground and developing the capacities of local organizations.

Their actions have focused on the ecological rehabilitation of the historic oasis of Tozeur, one of the oldest and largest in the Jérid region, covering 900 hectares divided between three districts: Abbès, El-Oust and Errebat. In the face of continuing degradation, IRADA has adopted an innovative approach aimed at restoring the three vegetative stages characteristic of oases: the upper canopy of date palms, the intermediate canopy of fruit trees, and the understory of market garden and herbaceous crops. by integrating the local community into a sustainable development dynamic.

One Project, Concrete Actions 

Crop diversification was at the heart of the project, with the introduction of new varieties of date palms such as Alig, Akhout and Kentichi. This initiative has strengthened the upper vegetation layer while preserving the local farming tradition. At the same time, more than 150 fruit trees, including apricot and plum trees, were planted, enriching the middle tier of the oasis.  Restoration was not limited to planting; other measures were put in place to improve the overall management of the oasis, including:

  • The installation of three localized bubbler irrigation systems, combined with field schools to raise farmers’ awareness of good irrigation practices and sustainable water management. This initiative has reduced water wastage, a crucial factor in this arid region, and improved crop productivity.


  • The installation of two weather stations in the oasis to compare climatic conditions between plots with three levels of vegetation and those with monoculture palm trees. The data revealed better moisture conservation in the tiered plots, confirming the ecological advantages of this vegetative structure. 
  • Creation of three composting units, promoting more environmentally-friendly agriculture and sustainable soil management.
  • Protection against silting up and fencing to protect plots from wild boar.

An inclusive community dynamic

The “Tozeur Eco Palm” project has mobilized 70% of the region’s farmers, with a remarkable 40% participation by oasis women. IRADA set up capacity-building actions for the Groupements de Développement Agricole (GDA), while actively involving young farmers and women, thus strengthening their role in the sustainable management of natural resources.

Sharing know-how

The initiative has also fostered exchanges with other regions. In March 2024, the association launched the “IRADA Camp” initiative, a meeting dedicated to sustainable and solidarity-based oases. The camp brought together 35 participants from the PPI OSCAN 3 program, from Tunisia, Libya and Morocco, and served as a platform for the exchange of experience and know-how, enabling participants to enhance their skills and adopt innovative practices for oasis preservation. The initiative also fostered the creation of strong inter-regional links and the promotion of sustainable solutions tailored to the specific characteristics of oases.

IRADA has also established partnerships with local associations to reinforce the impact of its initiatives.  By working hand-in-hand with local players, IRADA promotes the implementation of sustainable practices for resource management and the preservation of oasis ecosystems. These partnerships help to anchor conservation efforts in the realities on the ground, while promoting the empowerment of local communities. 

Sustainable impact

Thanks to the support of the OSCAN 3 PPI, IRADA has been able to implement concrete solutions to restore the ecological functions of the Tozeur oasis, while improving the resilience of oasis agriculture. This project embodies a model of sustainable development, combining conservation of natural resources, community mobilization and innovation.

Mr.Yassine Barrani, President of the IRADA Association, said: “The Tozeur Eco Palm project embodies our commitment to preserving oases in Tunisia while actively involving farmers, women and young people in the community. Through concrete initiatives, we have demonstrated that sustainability and resilience are possible, even in environments as fragile as that of the Tozeur oasis.”

The IRADA Association has succeeded in breathing new life into the Tozeur oasis, proving that sustainable management and local participation are essential to securing the future of our ecosystems.

To find out more about the IRADA Association and its sustainable development initiatives in Tozeur, please visit their website and follow them on their social media.

Funded by the Small Initiatives Program for North African CSOs (PPI OSCAN) – IUCN MED , this project was supported by the Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM), the MAVA Foundation and the Sigrid Rausing Trust Foundation.