Algeria Aims to Expand Irrigated Agricultural Land to 3 Million Hectares
Algeria plans to increase its total irrigated agricultural land to 3 million hectares in the coming years, according to Youcef Cherfa, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries. The announcement was made during his working visit to the Mila province on Monday, March 17. Currently, the country’s irrigated agricultural areas cover 2.1 million hectares, but this is set to expand as part of a national program outlined by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
During his visit, Minister Cherfa reviewed the progress of a grain storage center project in Tadjenanet and received a briefing on the agricultural sector in Mila, as reported by the Algerian Press Service (APS). He emphasized the importance of developing irrigated areas “in a thoughtful manner” and highlighted efforts to connect several agricultural perimeters to wastewater treatment plants. Treated water from these plants will be reused to irrigate cereal crops and fruit trees.
The minister also stressed the need to expand the cultivation of strategic crops, such as oilseeds and pulses, which are critical to ensuring the country’s food security. He called for integrating these crops into the cereal farming cycle and noted the government’s significant investments in connecting farms to electricity and providing irrigation water to boost agricultural production across various sectors.
Cherfa underscored the importance of meeting production targets for key agricultural sectors, including potatoes, to ensure their availability year-round. He also addressed unpaid dues owed to dairy farmers and milk collectors participating in the milk price support program since last year (2024), assuring them that their payments would be settled “by the end of May 2025.”
During his visit, the minister laid the foundation stone for a strategic grain silo in the Larbi hamlet, Chelghoum Laïd municipality. With a storage capacity of 100,000 tons, the silo is expected to enhance Mila’s grain storage capabilities. Cherfa praised Mila as one of the leading regions in Algeria for cereal production.
In addition, the minister inspected farms in the Ouled Khelouf and M’chira municipalities that are part of an integrated aquaculture and agriculture program. His itinerary also included visits to productive agricultural units in the Oued Athmania and Oued Seggane municipalities.
This expansion of irrigated agricultural land and the development of strategic infrastructure reflect Algeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its agricultural sector and ensure food security for the nation.
