Assessing Sustainability of Oasis Systems in Southern Tunisia

Abstract

The sustainability of date palm cultivation is a critical research focus due to its vital role in food security and the resilience of agricultural systems in arid regions. This study evaluates the sustainability of date palm farms by examining how distinct oasis typologies, traditional and modern, influence three core dimensions: agro-ecological, socio-territorial, and economic. Employing the IDEA framework (Indicateurs de Durabilité des Exploitations Agricoles) and statistical analyses, field data from 60 farms in Tunisia’s Tozeur and Kebili regions were assessed. The results revealed marked heterogeneity in sustainability performance, strongly structured by oasis type. Traditional oases exhibited higher agro-ecological sustainability but greater economic vulnerability, while modern oases proved more economically robust yet less environmentally sustainable. These findings highlight a clear trade-off between environmental integrity and economic performance, highlighting the need for differentiated strategies to enhance the overall sustainability of oasis agricultural systems.