Can the region represent a source of wealth creation, economic growth or at least reduce poverty and contribute to equitable distribution, preserving nature and ensuring prosperity for all? This was the theme of the debate in Kairouan on October 26, 2017, to celebrate the International United Nations Day, by teams from PAMPAT and Mashrou3i, both UNIDO projects, during an HP LIFE Business Coaching session. It was also the opportunity for 14 young aspiring entrepreneurs and 3 start-ups to exchange and work on the development of local products in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), initated by the United Nations to eradicate poverty, protect nature and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.
An introduction was made by M. Khaled Neciri, Mashrou3i expert, followed immediately by a rich presentation on “Local products: levers of sustainable development” by M. Farouk Ben Salah, Value Chain Expert of the PAMPAT project.
PAMPAT aims to improve the performance, market access and socio-economic conditions of operators (companies, collection centers, rural women farmers) in 3 value chains in Tunisia using a food labeling strategy: Harissa (food quality label), fig of Djebba (PDI fruit label) and prickly pear of Kasserine (organic label). After defining local products, as well as their characteristics and examples in the world, the young participants of the workshop were able to learn about the Tunisian experience with 3 study cases :
- The traditional harissa ERRIM, currently manufactured by SMSA Mutual Service Company “TAHADI”, composed by 164 women from Menzel Mhiri in Kairouan, which produce a traditionnal products with standards and innovative packaging, currently commissioned by fine and large grocery stores, restaurants and also exported to Switzerland.
- The organic prickly pear in Kasserine produced by several operators, including SMSA Zelfen (23 farmers) in collaboration with the Group of Agricultural Development (GDA) Hindi Bio (22 women members). PAMPAT project supports 13 companies under the “Organic Cactus Seed Oil – Origin Tunisia” program, including 2 start-ups in Kairouan.
- Finally, the fig of Djebba, the only fruit in Tunisia with a PDI, controlled designation of origin. PDI figs are sold on the local market up to 80% more expensive than standard figs, and exported in 2017 to France, Canada and Dubai by various local operators.
These case studies highlighted the attractiveness of local products to the young aspiring entrepreneurs, as they generate employment and income throughout the value chain, from picking to processing through to transport and distribution, increase value added, product diversification and lend themselves to innovation.
“Can local products help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals? The answer was yes. They help to combat poverty, which particularly affects rural areas. Produced mainly by women, they help to reduce gender inequalities. They promote decent work and economic growth by creating jobs. They offer competitive advantages that can not be relocated and that participate in cities, communities and even sustainable resources.
How can we find solutions to the problems facing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kairouan? Thanks to the technical training MORAINE, M. Faisal Zairi, Head of Space Entrepreneurship helped making our young project leaders interact on the ideas of projects likely to be created in the region from Kairouan.
The opportunities in “production of soil” exist indeed in the region, underlined the last speaker, Mr. Abdelmajid Azouzi, consultant and expert in agriculture, with beekeeping among others and the production of other products like the pollen and the royal jelly, olive oil processed with a short cycle, the work of olive wood, fruit pulp or fruit confection as many products that can generate great value and can find export markets.
Fostering an entrepreneurial approach and experience around a local product was the focus of the last workshop where 14 candidates benefited from the HP LIFE training from the project Mashrou3i and 3 testimonies : “TAHADI” with its president, Najoua Dhiflaoui who launched “Hrissat ERRIM” in 2014, Olfa Dhouibi whose start-up has already been approached by a Quatari client for its soap olive oil, and Bilel Sboui who benefited from HP LIFE group coaching for the launch of an oil extraction unit.
