Safa Athimni is the chairman of SMSA Lellasen Khmir, an agricultural cooperative that specializes in the production of essential oils, honey, and other terroir products like harissa, mloukhiya, and bsissa. The SMSA provides services to its members, including training and guidance, equipment, affordable agricultural inputs, and collective marketing for the SMSA’s products.

Mrs. Athimni holds a degree in information technology management from the Higher Institute of Technological Studies in Communications of Tunis (ISET’COM). Originally from Fernana in the governorate of Jendouba, Mrs. Athimni pursued career opportunities in Tunis upon graduating. However, to support her family during a time of need, she had to return to her region, which led to a two-year break in her professional journey. During this period, she joined an association dedicated to empowering rural women in the Fernana region. Leveraging her communication skills and practical knowledge she gained through fieldwork, she played an instrumental role in reaching out to rural women.

In 2016, inspired by her fellow association-members’ ties to agriculture, she enrolled in a training program for bee-keeping and connected with local bee-keepers and farmers, who inspired her to found a bee-keeping company. Two years later, she joined forces with 63 regional farmers to establish SMSA Lellasen Khmir in Fernana, which also extends its reach with members in neighboring areas such as Bousalem, Beni Mtir, and Ain Drahem.

The cooperative quickly developed a good reputation for its natural food products and received growing interest from hotels, bakeries, restaurants, and online sales shops. To secure orders from these buyers, however, SMSA Lellasen Khmir needed to ensure compliance with good hygiene practices and improve its product packaging. 

JOBS helped train the SMSA’s members in good hygiene techniques, while also assisting in the creation of innovative product packaging and a creative brand label.

These actions enabled SMSA Lellasen Khmir to more than double its revenue and add 17 new members in 2022.

“Thanks to the valuable support from JOBS and our own expertise, we managed to take a significant step forward despite the impact of COVID-19 on our clients. Substantial enhancements were made to our product management and commercialization processes.”
Safa Athimni
Chairwoman – SMSA Lellasen Khmir