Algiers – Algeria is strategically investing in its agricultural capabilities to bolster food security and drive sustainable economic development, according to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Yacine Mehdi Oualid. The Minister emphasized Algeria’s significant potential within the agricultural sector, stemming from its rich natural resources and a skilled workforce.
Speaking at the opening of the National Agricultural Investment Conference, themed “Between Reality and Prospects,” held at the Abdelatif Rahal International Conference Center, Minister Oualid highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering an attractive investment environment for both local and foreign investors. This includes streamlining investment procedures and providing essential infrastructure to support agricultural projects.
The conference saw the participation of key ministry officials, directors of public institutions involved in agriculture, and prominent Algerian and international investors, including representatives from Madar Algeria, Soummam, and the Qatari conglomerate, Baladna, as well as several emerging startups. Minister Oualid underscored that investment in agriculture is a cornerstone for achieving food sovereignty and promoting long-term economic growth.
“The agricultural sector has become a crucial engine for new economic growth, independent of the hydrocarbon sector,” stated Minister Oualid. He further noted its pivotal role in improving the national trade balance, aligning with the economic recovery and development plan initiated by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The Algerian government, he affirmed, is dedicated to providing the necessary conditions for agricultural advancement by refining investment and agricultural land laws. Opening avenues for local and foreign investors to develop food industries and support transformative and Saharan agriculture will solidify Algeria’s position as a promising agricultural and industrial hub in Africa. Minister Oualid concluded by stating that prioritizing agricultural investment is not solely an economic choice but a strategic and political imperative directly linked to Algeria’s economic sovereignty and food security, embodying the government’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.
