Algerian President Tebboune Orders Agricultural Sector Restructuring

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recently chaired a Council of Ministers meeting to discuss the state of the agricultural sector, rural development, and fishing. The meeting was based on a detailed presentation by Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fishing Sid Ali Khaldi. The President emphasized the need to ensure food security through increased agricultural production, diversification of the economy, and development of non-hydrocarbon production.

The President instructed the development of a new local agricultural organization plan to ensure greater transparency and accurate census data. This move aims to provide reliable data for decision-making on agricultural planning, support, and aid. The Council of Ministers also decided to establish a special office for dry vegetables, while cereals will continue to be managed by the Algerian Interprofessional Office for Cereals (OAIC).

President Tebboune stressed the importance of statistics for all agricultural activities and ordered the immediate creation of a dedicated service. This move seeks to eliminate delays in supplying the national market with essential products. Another instruction aimed to increase sector efficiency by allocating tasks within the ministry, assigning the fishing sector to a delegated minister and the forestry sector to a secretary of state.

The President's instructions are driven by the need for food security and economic diversification. To achieve this, the government will prepare for the upcoming harvest season, ensuring necessary mechanization means in all production areas. This follows the decision to create mechanization cooperatives, taken during a previous Council of Ministers meeting.

President Tebboune also ordered the utilization of all agricultural potential, prohibiting the abandonment of arable land. He instructed the fight against agricultural production retention by farmers, as the state has opened the way for strategic crop purchases at the best prices. Additionally, the President banned the use of maize as green fodder in animal feed, citing its ineffectiveness in increasing meat production and covering national market needs.

The President also emphasized the need to combat fraud in the agricultural sector, from production to distribution and supply. Furthermore, he ordered a review of the functioning and organization of agricultural enterprises, as well as the relevance of their missions. A future Council of Ministers meeting will focus on the implementation of these recommendations and the effects of the agricultural orientation law.

The Algerian government aims to enhance food security and economic resilience through these measures. The implementation of the President's instructions will be closely monitored, with a focus on achieving tangible results in the agricultural sector. Key aspects of the plan include increased transparency, modernization, and efficient use of resources.

Key points

• The Algerian President has ordered the creation of a new agricultural organization plan to ensure transparency and accurate census data.
• A special office will be established for dry vegetables, while cereals will continue to be managed by the Algerian Interprofessional Office for Cereals (OAIC).
• The President has banned the use of maize as green fodder in animal feed, citing its ineffectiveness in increasing meat production and covering national market needs.