Tunisia - Phase II of the Mahdia Inland Delegations (Districts) Rural Development Project

The Mahdia Hinterland Districts Rural Development Project (PDR-DIM) which concerns the seven hinterland districts of the Mahdia Governorate, which an clearly more underprivileged than the four coastal districts, is in line with the Government’s policy on poverty alleviation by improving the income of rural dwellers and ensuring balanced development among the various regions of the country. The project aims particularly at increasing produce in the agricultural and rural sector while protecting the environment and natural resources. The project is designed as an integrated development project centred on the development of agricultural production. Unlike the first phase which focused on the infrastructure and public investments, the second phase will be centred on guidelines to and participation of the beneficiaries to ensure increased agricultural production and durable development. The project components are as follows: (i) Rural outreach; (ii) hydro-agricultural facilities; (iii) increased crop production; (iv) increased livestock production; (v) environmental protection; (vi) socio-economic infrastructure. Its implementation will make it possible to consolidate the results of the first phase, carry out useful extensions of some components and correct the inadequacies in the organization and management and guidance of the beneficiary population.