突尼斯卡拉山脉脚下的无花果梯田，是一片兼具历史价值和生态韧性的农业景观，位于突尼斯西北部贝雅省的杰巴地区。这里的无花果种植已有数千年的历史，依托独特的梯田系统和灌溉方式，这片区域被联合国粮食及农业组织（FAO）认定为“全球重要农业文化遗产系统”（GIAHS）。作为全球农业生态和文化遗产的一部分，卡拉山的无花果梯田展现了可持续农业的智慧和人类与自然和谐共生的理念。本文将围绕这一地区的农业特点、文化价值、面临的挑战以及国际社会对其的支持展开讨论。
1.卡拉山无花果梯田的历史与文化价值
卡拉山无花果种植的历史可以追溯到迦太基文明之前。无花果自古以来就是突尼斯农业体系的重要组成部分，而杰巴地区的梯田景观则代表了人类应对自然环境挑战的智慧。这些梯田将陡峭的山坡转化为可耕作的土地，不仅避免了水土流失，还利用了山间的泉水进行灌溉。梯田上的无花果树与橄榄树、石榴树、榅桲树等多种作物共生，形成了一个生态复杂、稳定的农业系统。
杰巴地区以多种无花果品种闻名，其中包括Al-Qouti、Al-Nimri、Boukhbza、Bouhraq、Al-Khartoumi、Al-Hazhari、Al-Fawwari和Al-Sultani等。这些无花果的种类不仅丰富了当地的农业生态系统，也为突尼斯的农业出口带来了经济利益。最著名的品种Al-Buhouli，由于其独特的口感和品质，已经获得了原产地保护认证，并成为突尼斯无花果的象征。
卡拉山的无花果梯田不仅是农业生产的中心，也是当地文化和社会生活的焦点。每年8月，杰巴都会举办一年一度的“卡尔莫斯·杰巴节”，庆祝无花果丰收。2024年，第八届卡尔莫斯·杰巴节将于8月16日至22日举行，活动包括无花果展览、艺术表演以及农业研讨会等，展示这一古老农业系统的文化与经济价值。
2.无花果梯田的农业特点与可持续性
卡拉山的无花果梯田系统之所以被列为全球重要农业文化遗产，主要在于其独特的生态智慧和可持续性。这一梯田系统不仅通过石砌梯田将陡峭的山坡改造成可耕作的土地，还形成了一个多样化的农林复合系统。无花果与其他作物一起种植，有助于保护生物多样性，增强了农业系统的抗风险能力。
2.1梯田灌溉系统的高效管理
卡拉山地区的无花果种植依赖于山间泉水所支撑的传统灌溉系统。山上两处泉水通过灌溉渠流向各个果园，灌溉系统根据果园的大小和需水量，在特定时间段开放或关闭，确保水资源的合理分配。尽管近年来气候变化和干旱加剧，但这一传统灌溉方式凭借其灵活性，在面对水资源短缺时展现了较强的适应能力。
2.2多样化的种植结构
无花果树与橄榄树、榅桲、石榴等作物共同种植，形成了一个生态平衡的多样化农业系统。这种多层次的种植方式不仅有效防止了土壤侵蚀，还减少了病虫害的发生，降低了农药的使用。梯田间的野生植物如百里香、薄荷和迷迭香等，为农业生态系统提供了天然的抗虫机制，同时为土壤保持水分和养分。
2.3生态耕作与有机农业
卡拉山的无花果种植以生态耕作为核心，农民们通常不使用化学肥料，而是采用有机肥料如动物粪便来为果树施肥。这一生态耕作方式不仅维护了农业的可持续性，还确保了无花果的高质量，这也是杰巴无花果在国内外市场广受欢迎的原因之一。
3.气候变化带来的挑战与国际支持
尽管卡拉山的无花果梯田展示了农业与自然相互依存的智慧，但气候变化已对这一古老系统构成了威胁。2022年，突尼斯经历了自1950年代以来最炎热的7月，长期干旱导致该地区水资源严重短缺，水库容量仅剩三分之一，影响了无花果树的灌溉。山顶的泉水流量减少，部分果树因此枯黄，产量大幅下降。
面对这些挑战，国际社会为该地区提供了大量支持。世界银行通过派遣专家团队，对该地区的农业系统进行了详细调研，并协助开展技术研究，帮助农民提升抗旱能力。瑞士政府也对突尼斯的无花果生产提供了重要资金支持。瑞士资助的四年项目为突尼斯的无花果、印度仙人掌和辣椒酱生产提供了900万第纳尔（约350万法郎）的资金。该项目不仅帮助农民提高无花果产量，还推动了生态农业的推广。
此外，突尼斯农业部正准备实施从瓦迪梅杰尔达取水的灌溉工程，预计该项目将耗资1000万第纳尔（约390万法郎）。这一灌溉工程旨在为无花果梯田提供更加稳定的水源，以缓解干旱问题对农业生产的影响。
4.全球农业遗产的价值与未来展望
卡拉山无花果梯田作为全球重要农业文化遗产的一部分，展现了古老农业系统的生态智慧和文化传承。这种多样化的农业系统不仅能够抵御气候变化带来的不确定性，还为当地农民提供了经济保障，促进了农村社区的可持续发展。
全球重要农业文化遗产系统的意义在于保护传统农业知识与技术，维护农业生物多样性。卡拉山的无花果梯田正是这种传统与现代相结合的典范，其在水资源管理、生态耕作和生物多样性保护方面为全球农业提供了宝贵的经验和启示。
未来，随着国际社会对农业遗产保护的重视，卡拉山无花果梯田有望获得更多的资金和技术支持。这不仅有助于解决该地区的气候问题，还将为全球农业的可持续发展提供更多的借鉴和参考。保护这些农业文化遗产，既是对历史的尊重，也是为未来的农业创新和生态保护铺平道路。
5.结语
突尼斯卡拉山无花果梯田代表了人类智慧与自然环境的深度融合，展示了农业系统在面对极端环境下的韧性与适应性。尽管气候变化和资源短缺带来了挑战，但在世界银行、瑞士等国际机构的支持下，这一古老的农业系统得以继续发展并保持其独特的文化和经济价值。卡拉山无花果梯田不仅为当地社区带来了经济利益，也为全球农业的可持续性提供了重要范例。在保护与传承这一农业遗产的过程中，我们不仅需要关注其农业技术，还应关注其对全球环境与文化多样性的贡献。
Global
Important Agricultural Heritage｜Terraced Fig Orchards of
Tunisia's Mount Kalaa
Nestled at the foot of Tunisia’s Mount Kalaa in the northwestern Béja Governorate, the terraced fig orchards are a historical and ecologically resilient agricultural landscape. These orchards, located in the Djebba region, have been listed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as part of the "Global Important Agricultural Heritage Systems" (GIAHS). As a symbol of sustainable agricultural practices, the terraced fig orchards of Mount Kalaa reflect the harmonious relationship between human beings and nature. This article explores the historical and agricultural significance of the region, the challenges it faces, and the international support it has received.
I. Historical and Cultural Value of Mount Kalaa’s Terraced Fig Orchards
The history of fig cultivation on Mount Kalaa dates back to ancient times, even before the Carthaginian civilization. Figs have been an integral part of Tunisia’s agricultural system for millennia, while the terraced landscape of the Djebba region showcases humanity’s wisdom in adapting to challenging natural environments. These terraces transform steep mountain slopes into arable land, not only preventing soil erosion but also utilizing mountain springs for irrigation. The fig trees are interspersed with olive trees, pomegranates, and quince trees, creating a complex and balanced agricultural system.
Djebba is renowned for its wide variety of fig species, including Al-Qouti, Al-Nimri, Boukhbza, Bouhraq, Al-Khartoumi, Al-Hazhari, Al-Fawwari, and Al-Sultani. These varieties enrich the region’s agricultural biodiversity and provide significant economic benefits through export. Among them, the most famous is the Al-Buhouli variety, known for its distinctive flavor and quality, and it has earned protected designation of origin (PDO) status, becoming a symbol of Tunisian figs.
The terraced fig orchards of Mount Kalaa are not only a cornerstone of agricultural production but also a central element of local culture and social life. Every August, the region celebrates the annual "Karmos Djebba Festival," marking the fig harvest. The 8th edition of the festival, which will take place from August 16 to 22, 2024, features fig exhibitions, artistic performances, and agricultural conferences, all highlighting the cultural and economic value of this ancient agricultural system.
2. Agricultural Characteristics and Sustainability of the Fig Terraces
The terraced fig orchards of Mount Kalaa have been recognized as a global important agricultural heritage system due to their unique ecological wisdom and sustainability. These terraces not only convert steep slopes into fertile agricultural lands but also form a diversified agroforestry system. The coexistence of figs and other crops helps maintain biodiversity and enhances the resilience of the agricultural system.
2.1 Efficient Management of Irrigation Systems
The fig orchards of Mount Kalaa rely on traditional irrigation systems sustained by mountain springs. Water from two main springs flows through irrigation channels to the orchards. These channels open or close based on the size and water needs of each orchard at specific times, ensuring efficient distribution of water resources. Despite increasing drought conditions in recent years, this traditional irrigation method has shown remarkable adaptability in coping with water shortages.
2.2 Diverse Crop Structure
Fig trees are cultivated alongside olive, quince, and pomegranate trees, creating an ecologically balanced, diverse agricultural system. This multi-layered planting structure not only prevents soil erosion but also reduces the occurrence of pests and diseases, minimizing the need for chemical pesticides. Wild plants such as thyme, mint, and rosemary grow between the terraces, offering natural pest control and helping retain moisture and nutrients in the soil.
2.3 Ecological Farming and Organic Agriculture
Fig cultivation on Mount Kalaa is centered on ecological farming. Farmers typically avoid the use of chemical fertilizers, opting instead for organic fertilizers such as animal manure to nourish their fig trees. This approach ensures sustainable agriculture and high-quality figs, which is why Djebba figs are so popular in both domestic and international markets.
3.Climate Change Challenges and International Support
Despite the ecological wisdom and resilience demonstrated by the fig terraces of Mount Kalaa, climate change poses a significant threat to this ancient system. In 2022, Tunisia experienced its hottest July since the 1950s, with prolonged droughts leading to severe water shortages. The country’s reservoirs were left with only a third of their capacity, affecting the irrigation of fig trees. The reduced flow from mountain springs caused some trees to wither, resulting in lower yields.
In response to these challenges, the international community has stepped in to provide crucial support. The World Bank has sent expert teams to study the region’s agricultural systems and assist in conducting technical research to improve drought resilience. The Swiss government has also provided substantial financial backing for fig production in Tunisia. A four-year project, funded by Switzerland with 9 million dinars (around 3.5 million Swiss francs), supports the production of figs, prickly pears, and harissa in Tunisia. The project helps farmers increase fig production and promotes ecological farming practices.
In addition, Tunisia’s Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to implement a major irrigation project that will divert water from the Oued Medjerda River, with an estimated cost of 10 million dinars (around 3.9 million Swiss francs). This project aims to provide a more reliable water source for the fig terraces to mitigate the impact of drought on agricultural production.
4. Global Agricultural Heritage Value and Future Outlook
The terraced fig orchards of Mount Kalaa, as part of the Global Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, demonstrate the ecological wisdom and cultural heritage of ancient agricultural systems. This diverse agricultural system is not only able to withstand the uncertainties brought about by climate change but also provides economic security for local farmers, promoting the sustainable development of rural communities.
The importance of GIAHS lies in protecting traditional agricultural knowledge and techniques, as well as preserving agricultural biodiversity. The terraced fig orchards of Mount Kalaa are a prime example of this fusion of tradition and modernity. Their water management, ecological farming practices, and biodiversity conservation offer valuable insights and lessons for global agriculture.
Looking ahead, as the international community continues to focus on preserving agricultural heritage, the fig terraces of Mount Kalaa are expected to receive additional funding and technical support. This will not only help address climate-related challenges in the region but also provide more reference and guidance for the sustainable development of agriculture worldwide. Protecting these agricultural heritage systems is a way of respecting history while laying the groundwork for future agricultural innovations and ecological conservation.
5.Conclusion
The terraced fig orchards of Mount Kalaa in Tunisia represent a deep integration of human ingenuity with natural landscapes, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of agricultural systems in the face of extreme environmental conditions. Despite the challenges posed by climate change and resource scarcity, this ancient agricultural system continues to thrive, thanks in part to international organizations such as the World Bank and Switzerland. The terraces provide economic benefits to local communities and offer an important example of sustainable agriculture for the global agricultural community. By protecting and passing down this agricultural heritage, we not only safeguard traditional farming techniques but also contribute to global environmental and cultural diversity.
