The US Embassy in Tunisia and the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Wednesday the official launch of the SURF (Sharing Underutilized Resources with Fishers and Farmers) project, which aims to build the capacity of 9,000 farmers and fishers across the country to cope with climate change. In a statement to TAP on the sidelines of the closing session of the workshop to launch the SURF project in Tunisia, Abderraouf Ajimi, Chief of Staff of the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, stressed that this project is part of the State's efforts to combat climate change and adapt the agriculture and fisheries sector to these changes. "The aim of the project is to share under-utilised resources for the benefit of farmers and fishers", he said, pointing out that it is financed by a grant from the US State Department to the tune of 7 million dollars (21.8 million dinars) over a period of 3 and a half years. "Its main objectives are to encourage the adoption of best practices in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, and to set up an early warning system for the management of natural disasters such as forest fires, as well as a system to enhance the value of innovations based on results that can then be marketed and used by farmers", he added. Abderraouf Ajimi said various projects have been proposed within this framework, affecting disadvantaged regions that have been selected on the basis of criteria depending essentially on the level of unemployment, the level of development and the impact of climate change on these regions. "Three sectors have been chosen: olive growing, grains and small-scale fishing", he said, pointing out that a centre of excellence will be set up with the INAT to develop and disseminate knowledge. For his part, US Ambassador to Tunisia, Joey Hood, stressed that this project will support farmers and fishers, as well as business start-ups and cooperatives in the agricultural and fisheries sectors, to enable them to improve their yields and adapt to climate change. 'It will hel p smallholder farmers and fishers increase their operational efficiency and provide beneficiaries with access to new technologies through partnerships with US research institutions," he said, noting that these links will help them develop innovations that will enable them to meet the challenges of climate change. While underscoring the importance of US-Tunisian partnerships such as this one, Ambassador Hood said: "The United States is proud to support Tunisia's vibrant agriculture and fisheries sector, which is creating new jobs and opportunities for small businesses in communities that need them most. Together, we are empowering farmers and fishers, promoting food security, and building resilient communities. This project is just one of many examples of the multifaceted friendship between Tunisia and the United States, which dates back more than two centuries.' For her part, Haifa Ben Saoud, Programme Director of the American organisation Fhi60, which has been based in Tunisia since 2017, stressed that to day's workshop provides a platform to engage key stakeholders in the fisheries, agriculture and forestry sectors, encourage collaboration and facilitate the development of the project's core activities. She explained that the SURF project is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries, the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, FHI360, Action Positive and Virginia Tech to promote sustainable agriculture and fisheries practices in Tunisia. "This includes initiatives to stabilise cereal production in semi-arid regions and to strengthen the resilience of the olive sector through sustainable water management," she said, noting that SURF will help establish a forest fire warning system. For his part, the US Ambassador to Tunisia, Joey Hood, stressed that this project will support farmers and fishermen, as well as business start-ups and cooperatives in the agricultural and fisheries sectors, to enable them to improve their yields and adapt to climate cha nge. "It will help smallholder farmers and fishermen increase their operational efficiency and provide beneficiaries with access to new technologies through partnerships with US research institutions," he said, noting that these links will help them develop innovations that will enable them to meet the challenges of climate change. Underscoring the importance of US-Tunisian partnerships such as this one, Ambassador Hood said: "The United States is proud to support Tunisia's vibrant agriculture and fisheries sector, which is creating new jobs and opportunities for small businesses in communities that need them most. Together, we are empowering farmers and fishermen, promoting food security, and building resilient communities. This project is just one of many examples of the multifaceted friendship between Tunisia and the United States, which dates back more than two centuries. For her part, Haifa Ben Saoud, DoS Portfolio Director FHI 360, a US organisation that has been based in Tunisia since 2017, said to day's workshop provides a platform to engage key stakeholders in the fisheries, agriculture and forestry sectors, encourage collaboration and facilitate the development of the project's core activities. She explained that the SURF project is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, FHI360, Action Positive and Virginia Tech to promote sustainable agriculture and fisheries practices in Tunisia. "This includes initiatives to stabilise grain production in semi-arid regions and to strengthen the resilience of the olive sector through sustainable water management," she said, noting that SURF will help establish a forest fire warning system. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse