GAFSA: Durum wheat production in the Gafsa governorate for the current agricultural season is estimated at around 153,000 quintals, compared to 90,000 quintals in the previous season. This increase is attributed to the doubling of the areas dedicated to wheat cultivation and the encouragement of farmers to produce grain, according to data presented by the Local Agricultural Development Authority (CRDA) during a working session held on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Gafsa governorate. The areas sown with durum wheat for this season amount to 3,400 hectares, compared to 2,000 hectares last year. According to the same source, these are irrigated areas distributed mainly in the Gafsa-North and Sidi Aïch delegations. The CRDA estimates that the average yield of durum wheat this season will be 45 quintals/ha, compared with 25 quintals/ha last season. "The incentives given to a large number of farmers to encourage them to plant durum wheat on their land have had a positive impact in terms of increasing the a rea sown, which has led to an increase in production," said local agricultural development officer, Mohamed Ammar Guendouzi, during the meeting. Seasonal loans granted to farmers by the Tunisian Solidarity Bank (BTS) for this purpose have reached TND 550,000. The Gafsa governorate has a collection and storage centre under the Grain Office, with a storage capacity estimated at around 100,000 quintals. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse