The reality of olive and date palm crops in Libya and its impact on the local economy, with a comparison to Tunisia

Abstract

This study examines the state of olive and date palm crops in Libya, focusing on their impact on the local economy, and compares this situation to Tunisia's experience in the same field. Agriculture is one of the main pillars of the Libyan economy, providing many job opportunities and significantly contributing to the supply of local food products. The research focuses on the importance of olive and date palm crops in Libya as strategic crops that could boost the local economy through increased productivity and expanded export opportunities.

Libya faces several challenges related to the management of agricultural resources, with the agricultural sector suffering from a lack of investment and government attention. This limits Libya’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency in some agricultural products, such as olive oil and dates, despite the existence of vast fertile lands capable of supporting this sector. In comparison, Tunisia, which has a more developed olive oil production system, has achieved a leading global position in olive oil production thanks to supportive agricultural policies and effective investment strategies.

The objectives of this study are to investigate how agricultural resources in Libya, especially olive and date palm crops, can be better utilized, and to analyze the factors influencing increased productivity and improved marketing. The study also compares the production and export policies in both Libya and Tunisia, highlighting their role in strengthening the position of Libyan olive oil and dates in global markets. The research concludes with recommendations to enhance investment in the agricultural sector, develop effective marketing strategies, and focus on utilizing local potential to increase productivity and global competitiveness.