Science at UM [S01-ep16]: From Agricultural Diversity to Women’s Dietary Diversification in Tunisia

[Podcast] - Published on March 24, 2022 in Science and Society

This week we are joined by Cédric Gaillard, an economics researcher at CIRAD, and Eric Verger, a nutrition researcher at IRD. They are both members of the team Moisa and will discuss their study on the link between agricultural production diversification in Tunisia and dietary diversification among women.

Today’s topic takes us to Tunisia, specifically to the governorate of Sidi Bouzid in the center of the country. This region is characterized by its fertile plains, karstic subsoil, and an economy based on agriculture: grains, vegetable farming, and fruit trees, as well as livestock and dairy production.

For those interested in current events or contemporary history, Sidi Bouzid is also the birthplace of the 2011 Jasmine Revolution, when a young fruit and vegetable vendor set himself on fire to protest his living conditions, thereby exposing the deep-seated problems of Tunisian society to the world.

Our guests are Eric Verger, a nutrition researcher, and Cédric Gaillard, an economics researcher. They chose Sidi Bouzid as the site for a study examining the link between production diversification on family farms and dietary diversity among the women who live and work there. The project is being conducted in collaboration withINNTA, the Tunisian Institute of Nutrition and Food Technologies.

Their study, published in PLOS ONE on February 8, presents an original and innovative approach, based on fieldwork conducted as part of the Medina project on food systems in the Mediterranean.

At UM Science, you’ve got the program—let’s get started!

Production: University of Montpellier/Divergence FM
Host: Lucie Lecherbonnier
Interview: Aline Périault and Lucie Lecherbonnier
Director: Anna Demeulandre

Tune in to the show “A LUM LA SCIENCE” on Divergence FM 93.9

Keywords: Science at UM, Agriculture, Economy, International