Market Trends of Algeria Agriculture Industry
Increasing Investments and Initiatives Bolster the Agriculture Sector
The Algerian agricultural sector is undergoing a notable transformation, emphasizing food security and reducing reliance on imports. The Algerian government has rolled out a series of initiatives to bolster agriculture across the country. Notably, they are addressing a dip in sector employment, which fell from 10.0% to 9.7% between 2021 and 2022. For example, in 2022, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Algerian government, initiated non-lending operations marked by the launch of a youth employment and entrepreneurship program, a key component of the Country Strategy Note 2023-2025. The strategy focuses on enhancing employability through training, fostering public-private partnerships, enhancing agricultural water management, and creating more agricultural opportunities for rural youth.
Another key investment is the promotion and adoption of modern farming technologies. In 2022, the University of Ain Temouchent, Algeria, proposed a project to develop ML models for the management of intelligent greenhouses. This widespread adoption of modern agricultural practices, such as advanced irrigation systems, efficient crop management techniques, and modern farming equipment, plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity in Algeria. These technological advancements have enabled farmers to cultivate crops more efficiently, contributing to the expansion of cultivated land and increasing overall agricultural outputs.
Moreover, the Algerian agricultural sector benefits from a rich tapestry of research organizations, both public and private, committed to its advancement. A significant milestone in 2022 was marked by a crucial agreement at the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Director General, in partnership with AAAID, spearheaded an investment summit, bringing AAAID and local Algerian investors together with the primary goal of highlighting pioneering projects in agriculture and agro-industry. Furthermore, during the visit, AAAID's delegation presented a range of promising agricultural ventures and tailored programs specifically for Algeria's small-scale farmers and breeders. Thus, these strategic partnerships and targeted programs are pivotal in driving the Algerian agricultural sector toward a brighter future.
Rising Vegetable Production Outpaces Other Agricultural Crops
Algeria has seen a notable surge in vegetable production, underscoring its push for self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on imported food. This uptick directly results from targeted government policies geared toward elevating agricultural output and securing the nation's food needs. The Algerian Minister of Agriculture (MoA) introduced the Algerian Agriculture Roadmap 2020-2024, highlighting a pivotal move toward the self-reliance-focused effort to slash vegetable imports, bolstering the domestic production landscape.
Expanding land under vegetable cultivation is one of the major reasons for supporting the production of the produce. According to the FAOSTAT, the area harvested under vegetables grew from 301,201 hectares in 2021 to 307,529 hectares in 2022. This supported the increase in production from 7.6 million metric tons to 7.9 million metric tons from 2021 to 2022. Thus, the rise in vegetable production in Algeria has enhanced food security and reduced import dependency. It also stimulated rural development and economic growth, driving the market's growth.
Moreover, adopting modern agricultural practices, such as greenhouse technology, hydroponics, and drip irrigation, has enabled farmers to increase their yield and cultivation efficiency. Similarly, the increasing marketing of greenhouse-grown vegetables in social media by young entrepreneurs is also boosting the production of the produce. Algerian women in Douaouda are growing fresh strawberries, tomatoes, and other vegetables on the eco-friendly smallholding, a pioneering initiative in Algeria’s male-dominated agricultural sector by registering under the chamber of agriculture in Tipaza province. Therefore, the targeted government policies, increasing area under vegetable production, and growing concept of greenhouse vegetable cultivation are the factors driving the market's growth.
