Algerian President Unveils Agricultural Sector Reforms

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recently chaired a meeting of the Council of Ministers, focusing on the agricultural, rural development, and fisheries sectors. The meeting was presented by Minister Sid Ali Khaldi, who oversees these sectors. Following the presentation, President Tebboune issued a series of instructions aimed at reforming the sector. These instructions cover various aspects, including the reorganization of agricultural planning at the local level.

One of the key instructions issued by President Tebboune is the creation of a new office for dry vegetables, while the cereal sector will remain under the purview of the Algerian Interprofessional Office for Cereals (OAIC). Additionally, a specialized service for agricultural statistics will be established to improve the accuracy and timeliness of data collection. This move aims to eliminate delays in supplying the national market with widely consumed products.

The President has also ordered the preparation of the upcoming harvest-threshing campaign, set to begin this November. This involves ensuring the necessary mechanization is in place across all production areas. The decision follows a previous Council of Ministers' directive to establish agricultural mechanization cooperatives. Furthermore, President Tebboune emphasized the need to prevent farmers from leaving land uncultivated under false pretenses unrelated to modern agriculture.

To enhance efficiency and productivity, President Tebboune has instructed the ministry to develop a plan for task distribution, including assigning the fisheries sector to a delegated minister and the forestry sector to a secretary of state. This restructuring aims to improve sectoral management and oversight. The President also stressed the importance of combating all forms of production retention by farmers, given that the state has facilitated the purchase of strategic agricultural crops at competitive prices.

In a bid to optimize resource utilization, President Tebboune has imposed an absolute ban on using maize production as green fodder for livestock in Algeria. He noted that this practice has not yielded positive results in terms of meat production or meeting national market demands and has instead led to a severe maize shortage. The President has also called for a crackdown on all forms of fraud within the sector, encompassing production, distribution, and supply.

The President has further instructed the minister to review the functioning and organization of agricultural sector enterprises, assessing the utility of their missions. An upcoming Council of Ministers meeting will feature a special presentation evaluating the implementation of these recommendations and the impact of the reforms on the sector. This presentation will be prepared by the Minister of Agriculture.

The newly announced reforms reflect the Algerian government's efforts to modernize and improve the efficiency of its agricultural sector. By implementing these changes, the government aims to enhance food security, increase productivity, and better manage the country's natural resources. The success of these reforms will depend on effective implementation and coordination among various stakeholders.

Key points

• The Algerian government has introduced a comprehensive reform of the agricultural sector, including the creation of new offices and services.
• President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has issued a series of instructions aimed at modernizing the sector and improving its efficiency.
• The reforms focus on enhancing transparency, improving data collection, and increasing productivity in the agricultural sector.