Arabfields, Giulia Alliata, Economic Correspondent, Italia — Fifteen Italian companies are preparing to visit Algeria later this month as the North African country accelerates efforts to modernise its agricultural sector and reduce its dependence on traditional farming methods.

The delegation is scheduled to meet Algerian businesses and agricultural operators on September 28 and 29, focusing on machinery, smart irrigation, digital farming, livestock equipment, plant nurseries and storage technologies.

The visit comes at a crucial moment for Algeria’s agricultural ambitions. Farming accounts for about 15% of the country’s economy, while more than 8.6 million hectares are considered suitable for agricultural use. Yet an estimated 70% of farming activity still relies on traditional methods, highlighting the scale of the technological transformation policymakers hope to achieve.

For farmers, the issue is increasingly practical rather than simply strategic. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall and pressure on water resources are making productivity and efficiency more important across Algeria’s agricultural regions.

The Italian companies are expected to present technologies designed to improve crop monitoring, manage water consumption and strengthen storage after harvest. Their programme will include business meetings in Algiers, followed by visits to farms where representatives will be able to assess local operating conditions and discuss the needs of producers directly.

Italy has become an increasingly important partner in Algeria’s agricultural and industrial development. Italian companies and institutions have expanded their presence across several sectors, while agricultural cooperation has gained momentum under Rome’s broader economic engagement with African countries.

The growing relationship is already visible at agricultural trade events. Italian businesses have continued to increase their participation in Algeria’s farming and agri-food exhibitions, reflecting stronger commercial interest in a market with significant potential for mechanisation.

The September mission could provide another step towards longer-term partnerships between equipment manufacturers and Algerian producers. For local farmers, greater access to modern machinery and irrigation systems could help reduce production costs and improve yields, particularly for strategic crops such as cereals.

One of the most closely watched examples of Italian agricultural investment is the large-scale BF project in Timimoun, southern Algeria. The $420 million initiative is designed to develop up to 36,000 hectares for the production of durum wheat, lentils and chickpeas, while supporting thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

The project also includes processing and storage infrastructure, including 12 silos with a combined capacity of 62,000 tonnes. Such investments illustrate Algeria’s broader approach of linking agricultural production with processing, logistics and food security.

If the current pace of cooperation continues, agricultural technology is likely to become an increasingly important part of Algeria’s economic relationship with Italy over the coming years. The combination of a large agricultural land base, growing pressure on water resources and government efforts to strengthen domestic food production could create sustained demand for modern equipment and digital farming solutions.

For many Algerian producers, however, the success of that transition will ultimately depend on what happens beyond trade missions and conference rooms. Access to affordable technology, technical training and reliable partnerships will determine whether modern machinery can translate into higher production in the fields.

As the Italian delegation prepares to arrive in Algiers, the meetings will offer an early indication of how quickly commercial interest can be turned into concrete investments and technologies capable of changing the way Algeria farms.