News
Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Follow up of a trial in organic farm of Mr. Anoir Ayari in Gaafour of the Governorate of Siliana, with the collaboration and cooperation between the Technical Center of Organic Agriculture (CTAB) and the Regional Commissioner of Agricultural Development (CRDA) of Siliana: Direction of Organic Agriculture (DAB).
The trial consists on studying the fertilization of organic oil olive tree (Variety: Chetoui) by using a compost tea.
During this day, the second application of the compost tea was done according the experimental protocol of the trial.
Follow-up and supervision realized by:
- Youssef Amor: CTAB.
- Faten Ksouri Mansour : CTAB.
- Sameh Jebali : CRDA Siliana : DAB.
Hammamet: from September 17 to 19, 2025 Participation of MRS. Mehdi Elmabrouk: General Director and Youssef Amor: Director of Experiments and Communication at the Technical Center for Organic Agriculture (CTAB) at the Workshop on "Biological control" as part of the two "Biorest" and "TCP/Tun/4001" projects, by a presentation entitled "CTAB experience in the fight against the main pests and diseases in organic farming".
Continuing its training and technical support sessions, and the gradual launch of the official organic agriculture laboratory activities affiliated to Technical Center for Organic Agriculture, Pesticide and contaminant Residue Analysis Laboratory team participated in two training days on September 9 and 10, 2025. This was part of "BIOREST" project to support and develop sustainable organic agriculture that is resilient to the challenges of climate change, with funding from Switzerland and supervision from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
The two-day program included:
- Identification and discuss with review of quantification steps for the third part of GC-MS software,
- Application steps for quantification part of GC-MS software for pesticide molecule standard range,
- Familiarization tests on the GC-MS software for the standard range of a pesticide molecule,
- Preparation of HPLC equipment,
- Practical test to familiarize yourself with the operating steps for the quantification part of the HPLC software.
The training was supervised by an expert from the Tunisian Association of Chemical Engineers (ATIC).
The two-day activities were monitored by The Director General of the Center.
Mr. Hatem Chehidi, representative of the Technical Center for Organic Agriculture, attended the activities of the 2nd edition of the African Technology and Artificial Intelligence Fair, held from September 9 to 11, 2025, at the Kram Exhibition Palace. The event brought together prominent African delegations, startups, and investors active in the fields of innovation and cutting-edge digital solutions. He also participated in a roundtable discussion focused on innovative solutions for soil health and agroecological transition.
The staff of Pesticide Residue and Contaminant Analysis Laboratory, which is part of the Official Organic Agriculture Laboratory L.O.A.B, participated in two days of practical training at the Technical Center for Organic Agriculture C.T.A.B on September 2 and 3, 2025.
These two days were part of a series of practical training days for pesticide residues analysis in olive oil and dates as part of a project to support the development of sustainable and resilient organic agriculture in a context of climate change in Tunisia, funded by the SECO-Swiss cooperation and under the direction of the FAO.
The activities carried out during the two days of training, under the guidance of a trainer from the Tunisian Association of Chemical Engineers A.T.I.C, included:
- Participation in a webinar "Journey through Pesticide Analysis"
- Preparation and stabilisation of equipment GC-MS"
- Standard ranges preparation for some active pesticide molecules
- Analysis method insertion into software equipment based on customer application note
- Analysis sequence insertion for the prepared calibration ranges.
- Active pesticide molecules identification
- Planning another training day for quantitative part of software "GC-MS".
The Center's Director General has been monitoring this practical training and has observed the concrete progress of its objectives and various analytical phases over the course of two days.
- Subject: Field visit to the organic apiary of Mr. Hassan Ayari to prepare an experiment on the organic control of Varroa using organic acids.
- Date and place : August 27, 2025, in Nebr, Kef Governorate.
- Follow-up and Supervision by Ms. Sondes Hebali and Ms. Sonia Halouani, Technical Center of Organic Agriculture.
The Technical Center for Organic Agriculture (CTAB) had the honor of hosting, on August 14, 2025, at its Official Laboratory for Organic Agriculture (LOAB), a delegation composed of representatives from:
✅ The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
✅ Swiss Cooperation
✅ General Directorate of Organic Agriculture (DGAB)
✅ Tunisian Association of Chemical Engineers (ATIC)
✅ Technical Center of Organic Agriculture
This visit provided an opportunity to exchange views on the progress of the laboratory’s activities, particularly regarding the analysis of pesticide residues and mycotoxins in organic agricultural products.
Discussions focused on the following key points:
🔸 The crucial importance of the support provided by the project through the FAO to enable the laboratory to become fully operational and eventually achieve accreditation, as well as the promising prospects this initiative offers to all stakeholders in the organic agriculture sector;
🔸 The need to implement the recommendations of the supervisory authority by accelerating the operationalization of the LOAB;
🔸 A call addressed to all stakeholders, particularly laboratory personnel, to redouble their efforts in close coordination with ATIC experts, so as to launch actual operations and submit the accreditation application as soon as possible.
In a second phase, LOAB technical staff, accompanied by the ATIC expert team, guided the participants on a tour of the laboratory facilities.
This tour enabled attendees to learn about the various stages of sample processing—from reception through analysis to the production of results report—and to examine the available analytical and IT equipment.
Concurrently, a batch of consumables and reagents intended for the laboratory was received and inspected under the supervision of ATIC experts to ensure compliance with required standards.
At the conclusion of the visit, participants commended the essential role played by the BIOREST project in supporting the laboratory. They expressed their satisfaction with the quality of cooperation and coordination among all involved parties, while emphasizing the need to maintain momentum until the laboratory achieves ISO 17025 accreditation.
As part of implementing the components of the agricultural systems development and promotion project in Zaghouan, focusing on establishing organic farming zones, the Technical Center for Organic Agriculture (CTAB) supported the Organic Agriculture Division of the Regional Commissioner for Agricultural Development (CRDA) of Zaghouan on July 4, 23, 24, 29, and 30, 2025, to hold workshops with members of the Agricultural Groups in the areas of Tabaânia, Zriba, Jelass, Saouaf, and Bir H’lima. These meetings aimed to encourage members to join the program, with the participation of local development facilitators.
Mr. Hatem Chehidi, representative of the Technical Center for Organic Agriculture, participated in the regional consultative workshop dedicated to the development of the National Climate Plan CDN 3.0.
During his intervention, he emphasized the importance of integrating and supporting the organic agriculture sector within this national plan, given its potential to contribute, on the one hand, to strengthening resilience and adaptation to climate change, and on the other hand, to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through numerous good practices and alternative techniques that preserve biodiversity and ensure sustainability.
Date: July 24, 2025
Location: A hotel in Monastir
