end hunger, achieve food security
and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
Pr Lamia MOKADDEM
Professor of Economics, Head of research laboratory
«Economic of Sustainable Development, Natural Resources and Agriculture, LEDDRNA»,
University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Economics and Management of Tunis.
Head of the Tunisian Association of Research, Innovation and Action for Sustainable Development (ATRIADD).
Email: lamia.mokaddem@fsegt.utm.tn
PAQ Collabora Assur Cereals Project
The overall objective of the PAQ Collabora Assur Cereals project is to contribute to reducing Tunisia’s trade deficit in the cereal sector. Specific objectives include supporting agricultural risk management related to drought and strengthening the capacity to process satellite imagery for climate adaptation.
The project is implemented by a consortium of five partners, led by the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT), and includes CTAMA, APAD, CNCT, and the Bizerte Competitiveness Pole. It was funded to support the doctoral research of Nesrine Abid in Hydraulic Engineering, whose thesis was defended in 2018. The project contributes to developing indices that facilitate the adoption of drought insurance by cereal producers and stakeholders in Tunisia’s cereal sector.
Pr. Lamia MOKADDEM
FIT4REUSE: Sustainable Water Solutions for Agriculture
The FIT4REUSE project will develop integrated water management and wastewater treatment systems through applied research and cogeneration technologies. By bridging the gap between agricultural water needs and treated wastewater reuse, the project will provide sustainable solutions for the agricultural sector.
The initiative will also introduce innovative technologies and analytical tools to address challenges in water quality and agricultural water management. Methodological frameworks and assessment instruments will be specifically designed to support the project’s objectives and enhance water reuse practices.
Enactus: Advancing Social Innovation Through Entrepreneurship
Enactus is a global network of leaders dedicated to leveraging business principles to drive positive social and environmental change. Its mission is to educate, inspire, and empower youth to address pressing global challenges through innovation and entrepreneurship. In Tunisia, Enactus Tunisia coordinates and promotes this vision across higher education institutions, fostering a culture of impactful student-led initiatives.
Enactus ENIT: Student-Led Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture
Enactus ENIT is a nonprofit student association based at the National School of Engineers of Tunis (ENIT), operating under the coordination of Enactus Tunisia. Composed entirely of ENIT students, the association focuses on developing projects that combine engineering expertise with entrepreneurial action to address local and national challenges.
SOUAQI Project: Hydroponic Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture
The SOUAQI project, initiated by three doctoral students in biology and qualified hydroponics trainers in collaboration with Enactus ENIT, addresses critical agricultural issues such as excessive water consumption and pesticide use. By promoting soilless cultivation techniques, the project achieves a 90% reduction in water usage and eliminates the need for pesticides.
Key achievements of the SOUAQI project include:
- Establishing a distribution network for unprocessed organic agricultural products.
- Raising awareness and providing training in hydroponics for enthusiasts and aspiring agripreneurs.
- Launching nine hydroponic projects across Tunisia, showcasing the scalability of this approach.
By integrating engineering, agriculture, hydroponic technology, and digital tools, SOUAQI represents a transformative model for sustainable farming in Tunisia. It not only addresses immediate environmental challenges but also creates new opportunities for innovation and productivity in the agricultural sector.
B-CONNECT: Protecting Beekeeping Ecosystems
B-CONNECT is dedicated to supporting beekeepers and preserving their essential role within the ecosystem. The platform facilitates optimal hive placement for beekeepers and incorporates innovative security features to prevent hive theft. This initiative contributes directly to the protection of bee populations and the promotion of biodiversity.
Living Labs: Collaborative Solutions for Environmental Challenges
1. Fish Living Lab (Gel Gintel – Bizerte)
Led by the LEDDRNA laboratory at the University of Tunis El Manar, this Living Lab addresses complex environmental issues in the Bizerte lagoon. It employs a novel approach for small-scale fisheries, analyzing the interplay between socio-economic factors—such as local industry and fishing communities—and natural conditions, including biodiversity loss and climate change.
2. Mar2Protect Living Lab (ISSBAT)
On May 23, 2024, ISSBAT organized a Living Lab as part of the Horizon Europe Mar2Protect project. The event convened researchers, industry representatives, public institutions, and civil society to co-create innovative solutions for Tunisia’s groundwater challenges. The session focused particularly on groundwater recharge strategies for the Oued Souhil study site in Nabeul.
Working Workshop for Cereal Producers
A workshop titled “Productivity Index Estimated from Satellite Information and Hydroclimatic Projections” was held on October 5, 2023, at the Bizerte Competitiveness Pole. This event, part of the Pack-Collabora Assur Cereals project, demonstrated the partnership’s progress in utilizing meteorological and satellite data to support cereal production in Tunisia. Attendees learned how these tools can monitor crop health, contextualize agricultural campaigns within climate variability, and ultimately predict harvests to optimize production costs.PRIMA SWATCH Project Closing Seminar
The concluding seminar for the PRIMA SWATCH Project took place on June 13, 2024, at the KANTRA agricultural training center in Siliana. The project focused on “Strategies for increasing the water efficiency of agro-sylvo-pastoral systems under climate change, in semi-arid watersheds of the Mediterranean.”Master Class: Nutrition and Cancer
April 24 – Organized by the Faculty of Medicine of TunisThis specialized session focuses on the intersection of nutrition and oncology. Participants will develop competencies in:
- Relating evidence-based dietary approaches to cancer risk reduction
- Analysing dietary patterns associated with decreased cancer incidence
- Identifying molecular and biological mechanisms of nutrients and herbs within the hallmarks of cancer framework
Cooperation Agreement: National Institute of Nutrition and University of Tunis El Manar
February 16, 2024 – A cooperation agreement was formalized between the National Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology and the University of Tunis El Manar. The signing ceremony was attended by Mrs. Najwa Ben Amara, General Director of the Institute, and Professor Moez Chafra, President of the University.This partnership establishes a framework for scientific and research collaboration between the Institute’s laboratories and the University’s research structures. During the ceremony, Professor Chafra honored both Mrs. Ben Amara and Professor Jalila Al-Ati in recognition of their significant contributions to advancing scientific cooperation with the University’s research institutions.
Nutri Ambassadors: NutriFit 2.0 – Conference Day
Nutri Ambassadors once again organized a distinguished sports-focused event. This edition, titled NutriFit 2.0 – Conference Day, was held on April 26, 2025, at the National Center for Sports Medicine and Science.The program included a series of high-quality conferences addressing key topics in nutrition and sports, led by experienced and dedicated experts. The event provided participants with an enriching opportunity to enhance their knowledge and gain deeper insights into the relationship between nutrition and athletic performance.
Seminar Recap: Institutional Framework and Financing Mechanisms for Wetland Conservation in Tunisia
A visual recap of the seminar “Institutional Framework and Financing Mechanisms for Wetland Conservation in Tunisia”, organized by the FSEGT laboratory Economics of Sustainable Development of Natural Resources and Agriculture (L. EDDRNA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, UNDP, and the ATRIADD Association, held on February 7, 2025.This seminar is part of the L. EDDRNA GEL-GINTEL-BIZERTE project, under the Bizerte Lagoon depollution program Ecopact – Lake of Bizerte, launched by ANPE and co-financed by the European Union. Its primary objective was to examine strategies for strengthening the institutional framework and financing mechanisms supporting wetland conservation in Tunisia.
Visit of Dr. Marco Bernasconi – PsyCoMed MSCA Project
The Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Cellular Neuropathology, and Biomolecule Valorization had the honor of welcoming Dr. Marco Bernasconi, CEO of the Italian company FLANAT Research, as part of the PsyCoMed MSCA project.Dr. Bernasconi delivered a series of specialized lectures tailored for researchers and professionals in pharmaceutical sciences, biology, agronomy, nutraceuticals, and medicine. The sessions offered a unique opportunity for interactive discussions and hands-on insights drawn from applied research and innovation.
Key topics included:
- Research and development in nutraceuticals
- Dietary supplement compounds and their preventive roles
- Claims and regulatory frameworks in Europe
- Market perspectives for finished products
- Life cycle approach and life cycle assessment (LCA)
- Case studies from real R&D&I projects
Scientific Day: Soil Biofertilizers in the Context of Climate Change
The Faculty of Sciences of Tunis is organizing a Scientific Day on Soil Biofertilizers in the Context of Climate Change on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. The event will be held under the theme: “Towards Resilient Agriculture: Biofertilizers and Sustainable Strategies in Response to Climate Change”, in collaboration with the Horticultural Sciences Laboratory of the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia (INAT).This awareness day is part of the Faculty’s annual scientific program and is designed to engage students, farmers, and the general public. Led by experts from multiple disciplines, the event aims to share the latest research on soil biofertilizers as an ecological strategy to ensure sustainable and resilient agriculture in the face of climate change.
The initiative also addresses key challenges, including the adaptation of biofertilizer applications to diverse soil types, the efficient use of irrigation water, and the enhancement of agricultural productivity under evolving climatic conditions. The day’s program will feature public conferences and interactive workshops for students, providing a platform for learning and practical engagement.
INNOV’FOOD Talks: Advancing SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
The INNOV’FOOD Talks event served as a platform to directly advance SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through academic innovation at the University of Tunis El Manar. As part of the university’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development, the initiative embedded this goal into the curriculum.
Under this framework, students developed tangible projects focused on food security, sustainable agriculture, and nutritious food solutions. The outcomes demonstrated how problem-based learning within the university can foster practical, locally-grounded responses to global challenges, aligning academic work with Tunisia’s development priorities and the broader UTM mission.
