Seeds of Change: Shaping the Future of Women Agripreneurs in Tunisia

Photo credit: Personal

Tunisia: Imagine a rural woman in Tunisia, once confined by limited resources and opportunities, suddenly standing tall as a leader in agriculture, not just managing her farm but thriving as a successful agripreneur. This transformation isn’t a fantasy, it's the reality Dalila Dalhoumi is tirelessly working to create.

Dalila’s journey began in the heart of rural Tunisia, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by small-scale farmers, especially women. Limited access to resources, markets, and training kept these women from fully realizing their potential. This deep-rooted understanding of the struggles rural women face became the foundation for Dalila’s transformative work.

A Journey That Began with Vision
Dalila’s first encounter with the Farmer Business School (FBS) was when she joined the IAAA/GIZ/APIA Tunisia project as national coordinator in 2015. This project was part of the global programmne “Green Innovation Centers (CIV)” implemented by GIZ, which introduced, adapted, and scaled the FBS approach in Tunisia. From the very beginning, Dalila was deeply involved in the training and empowerment of farmers. By 2018, Dalila became a certified FBS trainer, and her journey as an instructor began in earnest. Her passion for supporting smallholder farmers, particularly rural women, led her to become an FBS coordinator in 2023 and, just a year later, to be elected to the executive board of the International Association of Agribusiness Practitioners (IAPA). Through this journey, Dalila’s belief in the power of education and training to transform lives was confirmed. She had found her calling: helping farmers, especially women, break free from the cycle of poverty and achieve economic autonomy.

Overcoming the Challenges: A Balancing Act
Balancing her professional responsibilities as an engineer, a mother, and a coordinator in a male-dominated field wasn’t easy. Dalila’s commitment to empowering rural women required navigating complex dynamics, whether it was managing her time between family and training assignments or balancing professional obligations with the personal drive to make an impact.

“The challenge was finding harmony. But with clear priorities, a strong support system at home, and flexibility in my work schedule, I was able to balance my roles,” Dalila explains.

A Moment of Pride: Witnessing Change
For Dalila, nothing could be more rewarding than seeing her training programs succeed. One of the moments she holds most dear is witnessing rural women regain their self-confidence and independence. "To see a woman who attended our training go on to successfully run her own agribusiness, like the woman who started a cheese-making unit after attending my course, is incredibly rewarding."

Dalila remembers one particularly touching moment when a rural woman, after applying the skills she had learned, thanked her for the positive change in her life. "She shared how the training helped her organise her farm and household better, improving not just her income but her family’s life as well."

Promoting Gender Equality: A Core Value
Dalila is clear about the impact of her work on gender equality in agriculture: “By empowering women with the tools they need to succeed, I’m not just teaching them farm management, but I’m also changing the dynamics of power within their homes and communities.”

The FBS approach has been instrumental in breaking down barriers, allowing rural women to participate equally alongside men in training programs. Dalila’s work focuses on providing women with practical skills in farm management, market access, and financial literacy, enabling them to thrive not just as farmers but as entrepreneurs and leaders.

Vision for the Future: A Digital, Sustainable, and Inclusive Agribusiness Landscape
Dalila’s vision for the future of agriculture in rural Tunisia is one of inclusion, sustainability, and innovation. She envisions a community where women, youth, and smallholder farmers are at the heart of modern, resilient agricultural practices. “I dream of equitable, resilient and innovative development that promotes local entrepreneurship, the empowerment of women and access to economic opportunities for future generations.”