National Council Established for Farm Modernization
Prime Minister Sifi Ghareeb has established a new executive decree, published in the latest Official Gazette, to create the regulatory framework for the National Council for Agricultural Mechanization. Executive Decree No. 26-296, dated September 22, 2026, details the Council's missions, organization, and operating procedures. This initiative marks a significant step towards developing a unified national vision for modernizing agricultural work tools and aligning mechanization development with the sector's specific needs.
The Council is tasked with proposing and overseeing the national strategy for agricultural mechanization, alongside preparing a medium-term roadmap to be translated into action plans. Its mandate includes fostering the competitiveness and productivity of agricultural enterprises by promoting innovative solutions in smart and connected agricultural mechanization. Furthermore, the Council will define standards for agricultural equipment, encourage startups in mechanization and precision farming, and monitor the development of local industries to ensure equipment and tools meet the specific needs of farmers and local characteristics.
In addition to strategic oversight, the Council will propose measures to ensure the availability of spare parts and maintenance capabilities, critical for the sustained operation of modern equipment. It will also work to develop training programs for technicians and users of agricultural equipment, ensuring proper utilization of new technologies. The decree further outlines the Council's role in facilitating farmers' access to modern agricultural equipment and encouraging agricultural cooperatives to acquire necessary machinery, addressing various mechanization-related issues as they arise.
The Council's structure reflects broad representation, chaired by the Prime Minister or Head of Government, and includes delegates from key ministerial sectors such as National Defense, Interior, Finance, Higher Education, Industry, and Agriculture. It also integrates professional and economic bodies, including the Secretary General of the National Union of Algerian Farmers, farmer representatives, economic operators, and researchers. Two specialized committees, the Agricultural Engineering Committee and the Senior Experts Committee, will support the Council by adapting national production to farmer needs and providing practical solutions.
