2023-06-22 18:59:32
ALGIERS – Several measures have been taken to increase the production of cereals and legumes in order to meet national demand and reduce imports, while turning to exports, said Thursday in Algiers the Minister of Agriculture and Development. Rural development, Mohamed Abdelhafidh Henni.
The Minister answered a question on the measures taken to encourage the Algerian Interprofessional Cereals Office (OAIC) to invest in the cultivation of cereals and legumes in the South, during a plenary session of the National People’s Assembly (APN) devoted to oral questions addressed to members of the government, chaired by Nacer Bettiche, vice-president of the lower house of parliament.
“In accordance with the commitments of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who has made agriculture a strategic choice, a new vision has been adopted to boost agricultural production, all sectors combined, in particular those strategic”, he said. -He underlines.
In this regard, the Minister referred to the emergency plan to relaunch the cereals and pulses sector, which provides for several measures, in particular the upward revision of the acquisition price of cereals by more than 30%, the exclusivity granted to the OAIC for the importation of legumes, in addition to the increase in the areas dedicated to cereals from 70,000 hectares per year to 130,000 hectares this year.
He also mentioned the increase in the subsidy rate for fertilizers to 50%, the construction of more than 6,500 wells thanks to coordination with the water sector, the creation of a seed bank, the strengthening of mechanization by authorizing the import of second-hand and new agricultural equipment, intended in particular for the regions of the South, in order to promote productivity.
Henni said the goal is to reach one million irrigated hectares in the south by the end of 2025.
To a question on the fate of constructions carried out on land belonging to the private domains of the State, after the adoption of the law relating to forests and forest resources, a text under debate at the APN, the Minister affirmed that this law will not be applied with retroactive effect.
Responding to another question concerning the opening of pastoral reserves to breeders in the wilaya of Djelfa, the Minister mentioned a proposal formulated, during this year, with a view to opening 39 zones representing 3 million fodder units, while supporting breeders affected by drought.
Middlemen and ‘casual’ sellers behind soaring sheep prices
Responding to a question on the “regularization of agricultural land at the level of the wilaya of Sidi Bel Abbès and the activation of communal committees and daïras under the authority of the wali to solve land problems without title deeds”, Mr. Henni reported 515 requests for regularization filed, stressing that the operation is continuing at the level of a wilaya commission created for this purpose.
Agricultural land under the private domain of the State “has known a significant dynamic and a notable recovery in recent years”, thanks to the relaunch of the partnership at the level of this land, indicated the Minister, affirming “the influx of investors , and the holders of scientific and financial means towards the conclusion of partnership with the holders of the agricultural concession contracts”.
Responding to the question of MP Amar Benaouda (FLN), on the availability of red meat at affordable prices, Mr. Henni underlined that within the framework of the strategy for the development of the red meat sector, several measures have been taken, in particular the development of cattle breeding, the guarantee of fodder and the continuation of the operation of importing calves, started during last Ramadan to ensure the supply of the market.
Regarding the rise in livestock prices, as Eid Al adha approaches, the Minister explained that this increase concerns livestock marketed by intermediaries and “occasional” sellers and not by breeders, affirming that Alviar offered Eid sheep are available from 40,000 DA.
He also recalled a study presented at a government meeting on the reorganization of wholesale markets and the integration of parallel markets into the formal circuit, arguing that the livestock market was concerned.
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