CONTRIBUTION DES GROUPEMENTS FEMININS DE DEVELOPPEMENT AGRICOLE A LA PROMOTION DE LA FEMME DANS LE MILIEU RURAL, CAS DU GOUVERNORAT DE ZAGHOUAN EN TUNISIE

Assessment of the contributions of womens agricultural development groups: a survey of women in the Zaghouan governorate in Tunisia. Agricultural development groups were created in Tunisia to involve members in local development, protect and rationalize natural resources. They take over from the administrations activities and ensure cooperation and exchange with national and international agricultural organizations. The objective of this work is to analyze the contribution of the Womens Agricultural Development Groups (WADGs) in improving the living conditions of rural women in Oued Sbaihia and Nadhour regions in the governorate of Zaghouan. Specific surveys of 40 members and 25 not members of the two WADGs were carried out. Results showed that the residence place of the women surveyed had no significant impact on whether or not to join the WADG. The statistical study revealed a significant association between the activity nature practiced by the subjects surveyed and their perception of its profitability. The women members of the WADGs of the regions studied seem satisfied with their monthly income while the non-members consider that their activities are not profitable. According to the bayesian network of appreciation model obtained on the basis of the survey results, 61.2% of the women questioned find their living standard low due to the absence of sale points, services, poor quality of infrastructure in these rural areas and the absence of funding agencies. Improving the living standard of rural women in the areas studied requires implementation of outlets number of nearby and improving services in quality and quantity.