The 2019-2020 labour-seeding campaign was officially launched in the wilaya of Bouira, Algeria, on November 1, coinciding with the country's Revolution celebrations. The launch took place in Haïzer, where military personnel from the 52nd Medical Regiment participated in planting dozens of olive trees near their barracks. This initiative aimed to honour the country's martyrs and promote agricultural development in the region.
According to Djoudi Ganoune, Director of Agricultural Services (DSA) in Bouira, the campaign targets over 68,000 hectares of land for cultivation. To achieve this goal, more than 2,000 tractors and necessary equipment have been mobilized. The DSA also reported that over 100,000 quintals of seeds are currently available, with an annual usage of 108,000 quintals. This represents a significant increase from the previous year, when 22,000 quintals were delivered during the same period.
The DSA highlighted that the Cooperative of Cereals and Dry Legumes (CCLS) has stocked over 34,000 quintals of fertilizers, which have been distributed to farmers. Additionally, the CCLS is in the process of procuring cover fertilizers, which will be used once the vegetation stage is reached. These efforts aim to support local farmers and enhance agricultural productivity in the region.
In terms of financial support, 631 dossiers have been submitted to the Banque Agricole et de Développement Rural (BADR) under the Rural Financing and Investment Guarantee (RFIG) scheme. Of these, 431 have received favourable reviews, with a total of 26 billion centimes allocated as credits to beneficiaries. This financial assistance is expected to boost agricultural activities and improve farmers' livelihoods.
A comparison of rainfall data between the current and previous years reveals a significant deficit. While 108 mm of rainfall was recorded in October last year, this year's total stands at 41 mm. Despite this challenge, the DSA remains optimistic about meeting the campaign's objectives, which include cultivating 47,262 hectares of durum wheat, 6,797 hectares of soft wheat, and 13,445 hectares of barley.
According to the DSA, over 60% of the total area has been ploughed so far, which is considered a satisfactory rate pending the return of rains. Last year, Bouira's cereal production reached 2,116,000 quintals across three bioclimatic zones. The northern zone, considered a potential area, recorded yields of 70-75 quintals per hectare, while the southern zone yielded 18-20 quintals per hectare, and the intermediate zone produced 25-35 quintals per hectare.
The successful implementation of the labour-seeding campaign is crucial for Algeria's agricultural sector, particularly in the wilaya of Bouira. With the continued support of local authorities, farmers, and financial institutions, the region is poised to enhance its agricultural productivity and contribute to the country's overall food security.
Key points
- The 2019-2020 labour-seeding campaign in Bouira targets over 68,000 hectares of land for cultivation.
- Over 100,000 quintals of seeds are currently available for the campaign, with an annual usage of 108,000 quintals.
- The campaign has received financial support, with 431 RFIG dossiers approved and 26 billion centimes allocated as credits to beneficiaries.
