Land Suitability for Crop Options Evaluation in Areas Affected by Desertification: The Case Study of Feriana in Tunisia

The study was carried out in the Tunisian site of a Cooperation Project,
aiming to implement techniques for combating desertification. The approach of
the project is based on promoting drought-resistant fodder shrubs as an alternative
crop, in areas where the expansion of traditional cereal and olive trees in not suited
rangelands constitute a land degradation factor. A land evaluation procedure was
implemented based on a Map of Pedo-morphologic Units purposely created and on
GIS based suitability models specifically adapted to the local conditions. The suitability
maps obtained showed that about 18% of present rainfed cereal crops and
12% of olive plantations are located in not suited areas. The results also highlight
the areas where further crop development could be more or less advisable and fodder
shrubs could be introduced as an alternative and sustainable income generating
option.