El Oued, Algeria – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Yacine El Mahdi Oualid, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to directing agricultural support to its intended beneficiaries. The Minister made the announcement during celebrations marking the 51st anniversary of the National Union of Algerian Farmers (UNFA) in El Oued.
Oualid emphasized the crucial role of UNFA as a key partner in shaping agricultural development policies. He highlighted recent consultations with farmers and breeders, involving both UNFA and the National Chamber of Agriculture, to address their concerns and discuss the roadmap for the sector’s development.
Key discussions focused on revising public policies, especially regarding agricultural subsidies, to ensure they reach the “real” beneficiaries and promote economic efficiency in production and productivity. The Minister also mentioned exploring new financing mechanisms, such as micro-loans and venture capital, to meet the sector’s investment needs.
The consultations also covered the national agricultural insurance policy, aiming to better protect farmers against major risks like drought. The development of a national information system for the agricultural sector and the electronic identification of the national livestock were also discussed.
Further, Oualid noted the importance of revising the agricultural guidance law to align with the sector’s ongoing modernization and transformations. He stressed the need to link the agricultural sector with scientific research to improve performance and develop seed production policies, particularly for strategic crops. The newly established National Scientific Council for Food Security will play a vital role in this policy.
The Minister also highlighted government efforts to encourage agricultural production, including connecting tens of thousands of farms to electricity, opening up rural roads, and expanding storage capacities.
