In a significant move aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector, the Algerian Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries has signed agreements with six public banks to establish a new financing system for small- and medium-sized cold storage facilities. The banks involved include BADR, BEA, BDL, CNEP Banque, CPA, and BNA.
The initiative, called Tabrid, offers interest-free investment loans of up to 150 million Algerian dinars (approximately $1.1 million USD) with a repayment period of up to 10 years. The funding is intended for farmers looking to build refrigerated chambers or warehouses with storage capacities ranging from 300 to 5,000 cubic meters.
The primary objective of the program is to expand storage capacity for agricultural products, which is expected to improve market supply and stabilize prices. By helping to preserve surplus produce and distribute it during periods of scarcity, the initiative aims to address seasonal fluctuations in availability and pricing.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister of Finance emphasized that the construction of refrigerated facilities across Algeria’s provinces will play a key role in balancing the agricultural market. He noted that greater storage capacity could mitigate post-harvest losses and provide farmers with the confidence to invest further in agricultural production.
Echoing these sentiments, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries highlighted that the cold storage infrastructure will enable better management of surplus harvests, ensuring local availability during shortages. This, he added, would lead to more stable markets and higher production rates.
Minister Mohamed Abdelhafid Henni also announced that the program will be launched in the coming days, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance. It is designed to complement ongoing efforts by the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture, and Interior to formalize land ownership for farmers, a key step in encouraging long-term agricultural investment.
By facilitating land regularization and enabling the development of cold storage facilities, Algerian authorities aim to provide farmers with the tools needed to strengthen food security and support sustainable rural development.
