Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Youssef Sharfa, emphasized the importance of the general agricultural census for the 2024 season, which began on May 19, in obtaining accurate data about the composition of the national livestock.
In his speech at the national forum on investment prospects in strategic crops and the valorization of local breeds, organized by the Wilaya of Naama, Sharfa stated that the census “will enable us to clarify the vision regarding the protection and enhancement of national breeds,” urging farmers and breeders to “strongly participate” in the census process.
The minister revealed that the ministry has allocated approximately 450,000 hectares to the Office for the Development of Industrial Agriculture in the Sahara (ODIAS) to provide the necessary land for integrated investment projects in the southern regions.
Sharfa explained that the Ministry of Agriculture is committed to providing the necessary land for integrated investment projects in the southern provinces, noting that “to date, a total area of over 450,000 hectares has been transferred to ODIAS, distributed across 54 areas, 46 of which have been granted to operators.”
In this context, the minister mentioned that his ministry has identified 1.5 million hectares of land suitable for reclamation and attracting integrated investment projects in the south. This followed a recent workshop organized by the ministry to discuss technical studies and maps prepared by various specialized departments to determine areas that will host integrated investment projects.
Regarding the Wilaya of Naama, the minister highlighted its agricultural potential, noting that it houses a livestock wealth of over 1.271 million sheep, more than 112,000 goats, nearly 19,000 cattle, in addition to camel and poultry farming.
He pointed out that these potentials make Naama an attractive destination for investors looking to launch promising agricultural projects, particularly the establishment of private livestock and beekeeping farms as well as the construction of industrial slaughterhouses in the northern part of the wilaya.
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Importance of agricultural statistics.
