National Oilseed and Grain Corn Program Launched in M’sila: A Step Toward Food Self-Sufficiency
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries launched the National Program for Oilseed and Grain Corn Cultivation, spanning a total area of 220,000 hectares. This four-year initiative, beginning in the current agricultural season as a pilot project, includes the cultivation of 30,000 hectares of sunflower.
The program was inaugurated in M’sila Province, selected as a model region to kick off the initiative with an initial 150 hectares in the Ouled Amer area of Ain El Khadra Municipality. This marks the first phase of a broader plan targeting 30,000 hectares of sunflower cultivation by the 2025 agricultural season.
Ms. Hanane Laibed, Director of Agricultural Product Valorization at the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries, emphasized that M’sila was chosen as the starting point for the awareness campaign initiated by the ministry. This campaign aligns with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s program to achieve food self-sufficiency and enhance national food security. She highlighted that strategic crops, particularly cereals, have already seen significant progress thanks to the efforts of farmers and their supporting technical teams.
The current phase focuses on oilseed crops, including sunflower, corn, soybeans, and grain corn, aiming to reduce the country’s import bill. In recent years, Algeria’s imports have exceeded 1.6billionannuallyforgraincornand1.74 billion for oilseeds and crude oil. The program seeks to curb these expenditures while advancing toward self-sufficiency.
Ms. Laibed outlined the government’s four-year plan, extending to 2028, which targets the cultivation of 220,000 hectares of grain corn and 300,000 hectares of oilseed crops. For the current season, the program includes 30,000 hectares of grain corn, distributed across 8,000 hectares in northern regions and 22,000 hectares in the south. Additionally, 60,000 hectares of oilseed crops are planned, with 25,000 hectares in the north and 35,000 hectares in the south.
She noted that all climatic and natural conditions are favorable for achieving these goals. The ministry is committed to supporting farmers through vast land allocations, financial incentives, and technical assistance from specialized institutes and economic stakeholders.
The launch event also saw the signing of a cooperation agreement between economic operators and producers, endorsed by the Directorate of Agriculture. This agreement ensures support in areas such as seed and fertilizer provision, as well as other production inputs.
This initiative represents a significant step in Algeria’s agricultural development, aiming to strengthen food security, reduce dependency on imports, and empower farmers through comprehensive support and strategic planning.
