Tunisia Battles Insect Threat to Prickly Pear Harvest
A tiny insect is wreaking havoc on Tunisia’s prized prickly pear crops, posing a severe threat to the country’s agricultural sector and economy. Farmers like Bassem Sahnoun are losing sleep over the cochineal insect, which has decimated vast plantations since its arrival in 2021.
The bug, known for sucking sap from cactus pads, has caused yellowing and death of the plants, impacting the livelihoods of thousands who rely on the fruit for income. Experts are scrambling to find solutions, with the government and international organizations implementing measures to combat the pest.
With prickly pears covering 12% of Tunisia’s agricultural land, the stakes are high. Efforts to introduce biological control methods and promote sustainable practices are underway to save the iconic fruit. Farmers, like Sahnoun and Selma Jridi, are doing their best to protect their trees amidst the crisis.
The battle against the cochineal insect rages on, as Tunisia fights to preserve its prickly pear heritage and economic lifeline.