Italian-Algerian Venture Expands Saharan Wheat Cultivation

The BF El Djazair agricultural project, an Algerian-Italian joint venture, is preparing to launch a new wheat sowing campaign in Timimoun, located in the Algerian Sahara. This extensive initiative is designed to strengthen Algeria's national cereal production and contribute to expanding Saharan agriculture. The project is a collaboration between the Italian group BF and Algeria's National Investment Fund, with an estimated value of approximately 420 million euros.

The project encompasses a total area of 36,000 hectares, with about 24,000 hectares specifically designated for agricultural production. Beyond wheat, the program also includes the cultivation of chickpeas, lentils, dried beans, and corn. This diversification, alongside the development of storage and transformation infrastructures, underscores Algeria's broader objective to increase its domestic production and decrease its dependence on food imports.

Addressing the technical challenges inherent in the Saharan conditions of Timimoun, the project incorporates advanced water management strategies. These include the use of boreholes and pivot irrigation systems, combined with precision agriculture tools designed to monitor crops and optimize water supply. This technological approach is crucial as Algeria seeks to expand its cereal acreage and leverage Saharan agriculture to bolster its national food security efforts.