By Nor Eleslam
Algeria has signed the first set of contracts worth over $500 million for phase one of the integrated agricultural-industrial project “Baladna Algeria,” aimed at producing milk powder in the southern Adrar province. With a total investment of $3.5 billion, the initiative spans 117,000 hectares and targets covering 50% of the national milk powder demand. The contracts—14 in total—were signed with major international and Algerian companies in areas such as agricultural technology, irrigation systems, construction, and project management. Key partners include Germany’s GEA Technologies, Qatar’s EHAF, Turkey’s AFKO, and the U.S.-based Valmont. Phase one will reclaim 100,000 hectares, establish 700 irrigation units, and launch two cow farms along with one of two planned milk powder plants. Production is set to begin in 2026 with imported high-efficiency dairy breeds. The project is a joint venture between Qatar’s Baladna and Algeria’s National Investment Fund and is expected to create over 5,000 direct jobs while significantly enhancing national food security.
