Social and Private Profitability of Tree-Based Adaptation Options to Climate Change in a Dryland Area of Tunisia

Abstract

Climate change exacerbates the effects of water scarcity on livelihoods. Governments can intervene by structuring incentives for agricultural adaptations so that farmers can choose the ones that create more benefits for the society as a whole. This requires consideration of a range of different benefits to different groups within the social cost-benefit analysis (CBA). We assess the social and private profitability of two alternative tree-based adaptation techniques that have received state support in the traditional barley cropping/rangeland systems in Central Tunisia: olive tree plantation, and intercropping with cactus. The results showed that society does not benefit from offering incentives for olive production. The production of irrigated olive trees without incentives is profitable for farmers and for society, while rainfed plantation is not profitable at all. However, it is possible for farmers to increase their incomes without increasing agricultural water use if they are encouraged to adopt intercropping with cactus to supplement livestock food and watering. The findings highlight scope for policies to balance between returns both for society, and for farmers, as revealed through the application of quantitative social CBA.

Climate-Smart Agriculture in African Countries: A Review of Strategies and Impacts on Smallholder Farmers

“…The results show that whereas rainfed plantations were not at all profitable, the cultivation of irrigated olive trees was advantageous for farmers and society as a whole. Additionally, intercropping with cactus to supplement livestock food and watering was a very effective approach to boost farmers' revenues without increasing agricultural water consumption [68].…”

Determining the Factors Affecting the Climate-Friendly Innovative Technology Usage Levels of Sheep Farms

“…It is stated that farmers define climate change knowledge in terms of how it affects them in the context of history, culture and local experiences (Velempini et al, 2018). They develop place-based coping strategies and take part in adaptation studies to alleviate and maintain their livelihoods (Ashraf and Routray, 2013;Roco-Fuentes et al, 2015;Hyland et al, 2016;Daly-Hassen et al, 2019;Ata et al, 2021).…”

Untitled

“…It is stated that farmers define climate change knowledge in terms of how it affects them in the context of history, culture and local experiences (Velempini et al, 2018). They develop place-based coping strategies and take part in adaptation studies to alleviate and maintain their livelihoods (Ashraf and Routray, 2013;Roco-Fuentes et al, 2015;Hyland et al, 2016;Daly-Hassen et al, 2019;Ata et al, 2021).…”