Unique agricultural system for irrigating crops in Ghar al Milh

Agricultural system in coastal city of Ghar al Milh in Bizerte, northern Tunis, is a national treasure, as it is a traditional system with unique property, inherited from ancestry that dates back to Andalusians who founded the city. Tunisia is experiencing water scarcity and decrease in water resources, 80% of which are used in agriculture, according to specialists and official authorities. The agricultural system in Ghar al Milh depends on rainwater stored in the soil, which is known as “passive irrigation system”, in which roots of plants are nourished by rainwater stored in the sand. Tidal movement results in salty sea water to enter the lake connected to the sea, and push fresh water stored from rainwater up to reach the roots of various types of plants and nourish them.