Arabfields, Farah Benali, Economic Correspondent, China — A new partnership between Egypt’s DALTEX Corporation and Chinese irrigation equipment manufacturer Anhui Irritech Agriculture Equipment is set to expand access to agricultural irrigation technologies in Algeria, as the country accelerates efforts to increase food production and develop large-scale farming projects.

Under the strategic agreement, DALTEX has become the exclusive distributor of Irritech equipment in Algeria, Egypt and Libya. The partnership covers central pivot irrigation systems, linear irrigation equipment and technology-based solutions, including tools incorporating artificial intelligence.

The agreement comes as Algeria increases investment in agricultural development, particularly in its southern regions, where irrigation plays a central role in expanding cultivated land in arid conditions.

Algeria’s agricultural water requirements have become a growing concern as authorities seek to balance food production with limited water resources. In June, the government launched its 2026 irrigation campaign, targeting nearly 238,000 hectares across several provinces with more than 340 million cubic metres of allocated water.

The figures underline the scale of irrigation demand in a country where farming projects increasingly depend on reliable water supplies. Government officials have also stressed the need to use water more efficiently and preserve available resources.

For farmers working in the south, where rainfall is limited, irrigation infrastructure is closely linked to production costs, crop yields and the long-term viability of agricultural operations. More efficient equipment could help producers manage water distribution while responding to the challenges of cultivating land in desert environments.

DALTEX’s role will extend beyond equipment distribution. The company is expected to provide services covering land assessments, hydraulic design, installation, commissioning and after-sales support.

This approach could become important for agricultural investors seeking complete irrigation systems rather than individual pieces of equipment. The use of technology-assisted solutions may also support more precise irrigation management, although the results will depend on project design, maintenance and local operating conditions.

Irritech is not entering the Algerian market for the first time. The Chinese manufacturer has previously established a presence through SARL AGSOM, a local company that lists the brand among its irrigation equipment partners.

The existing commercial presence may offer a foundation for expanding customer relationships and technical services as demand develops.

Algeria has continued to promote large-scale agricultural investments in the Sahara, including projects involving cereals and other strategic crops. The development of these operations has increased the importance of irrigation networks, energy connections and groundwater management.

In January, Algerian authorities said nearly 15,000 well-drilling permits had been issued since 2021 to support major agricultural investments in southern provinces, including Adrar, Timimoun, El Meniaa and Ouargla. Officials have also indicated that more than 70% of annually mobilised water resources are directed toward agriculture.

These figures point to sustained demand for irrigation equipment, but they also highlight the pressure placed on water resources. The expansion of farming in arid regions will require investment to be matched by monitoring, efficient water use and sustainable management of underground reserves.

The DALTEX-Irritech partnership is likely to benefit from Algeria’s continued development of agricultural infrastructure in the coming years. Demand for central pivot systems, linear irrigation and digital monitoring technologies could increase as large-scale farming projects move from planning to implementation.

However, the pace of market expansion will depend on several factors, including the availability of water, the completion of agricultural infrastructure, financing conditions and the ability of farmers to operate and maintain modern equipment.

For Algeria, the challenge will be to expand agricultural production while ensuring that irrigation development does not intensify pressure on already limited water supplies. The success of new partnerships will therefore be measured not only by equipment sales, but also by their contribution to reliable and efficient agricultural production.