Algeria-Italy Agricultural Project to Boost National Durum Wheat Production by 170,000 Tons Annually
✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | July 7th, 2024 — On Saturday in Algiers, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Youcef Cherfa announced a groundbreaking Algerian-Italian integrated project aimed at significantly boosting national agricultural output. This collaboration, focusing on the production of cereals, legumes, and pasta in the Timimoun region, is set to increase Algeria’s annual production of durum wheat by 170,000 tons.
During a joint press conference with Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry Francesco Lollobrigida, Cherfa detailed the project’s scope following the signing of a framework agreement between the Algerian Ministry of Agriculture and the Italian company Bonifiche Ferraresi (BF). The project will not only augment durum wheat production but also yield substantial quantities of lentils (7,100 tons), beans (14,000 tons), and chickpeas (11,000 tons) annually.
Cherfa emphasized that this initiative is crucial for achieving national self-sufficiency in durum wheat, especially given the substantial production levels this year, which met 80% of the national demand. Of the wheat produced under this project, 60% will be allocated to strategic reserves, while 40% will be earmarked for processing and export.
The minister also noted that this project is part of a broader objective to develop 500,000 hectares of arable land in southern Algeria by 2027, a goal set by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune under the national strategic crop development plan. The initial phase of the project in Timimoun is slated to begin in October 2024, coinciding with the start of the plowing and sowing season, with the first harvest expected by the summer of 2025.
Cherfa highlighted that the project, which is expected to be fully operational within four years, will include an integrated farm for cereals and legumes, a durum wheat mill, a pasta production line, a couscous production line, and grain and legume storage silos with a total capacity of 62,000 tons. The joint venture managing the project will be 49% owned by the National Investment Fund (FNI) and 51% by the Italian side.
Italian Minister Lollobrigida hailed the project as a model of partnership that would bring added value through job creation and wealth generation. He invoked the legacy of Enrico Mattei, a friend of the Algerian Revolution and a symbol of economic cooperation and friendship between Algeria and Italy, praising Algeria’s role in realizing the “Mattei Plan for Africa.”
According to a document distributed by Bonifiche Ferraresi, the project represents the largest Italian investment in a high-tech agricultural venture south of the Mediterranean. The initial phase will involve the drilling of wells to establish a modern drip irrigation system. The company also plans to implement training programs for Algerian professionals and develop collaborative projects with Algerian academic and research institutions.
The agreement was signed in Algiers by Souad Assaous, Director General of Agricultural Investment and Land at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Federico Vecchioni, CEO of BF. The ceremony was attended by several key figures, including Agriculture Minister Youcef Cherfa, Finance Minister Laaziz Faid, Energy and Mines Minister Mohamed Arkab, Industry and Pharmaceutical Production Minister Ali Aoun, and Water Resources Minister Taha Derbal.
Notable attendees from Algeria included Mohamed Boukhari, presidential advisor on finance and international regulations, Timimoun’s Wali Souna Benamar, Omar Rekkache, Director General of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI), and various other officials and organization leaders.
Representing Italy, the signing was witnessed by Minister Lollobrigida, diplomatic advisor Fabrizio Saggio, and Italian Ambassador to Algeria Alberto Cutillo. The project, covering 36,000 hectares in Timimoun, aims to produce wheat, lentils, dry beans, and chickpeas, and includes the construction of processing units for pasta production, storage silos, and other vital infrastructure.
About Dzair Tube Media Group
Dzair Tube has firmly established itself as a prominent player among Algerian digital news sites, offering a diverse and enriching content experience. The platform, available in Arabic, French, and English editions, captures the attention of a wide-ranging audience, amassing over half a million daily clicks.
A testament to its commitment to excellence, Dzair Tube received the prestigious President of the Republic’s Award for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on October 22, 2022. This recognition underscores the platform’s unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
With a significant online presence, Dzair Tube boasts 350,000 subscribers on YouTube, over five million followers on various Facebook pages, and 450,000 subscribers on Instagram. Its digital channel has become a hub for diverse programming, covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a broad spectrum of audience preferences.
Equipped with state-of-the-art studios and advanced technology, Dzair Tube’s digital channel has garnered substantial viewership for its varied programs. Hosting interactive discussions with influential figures across different domains, the platform actively fosters public discourse and engagement. Beyond news coverage, Dzair Tube extends its commitment to the production of marketing documentaries, short TV commercials, and high-viewership programs.
The success of the print edition of Dzair Tube’s sports newspaper, “Dzair Sport,” further highlights the platform’s impact, with over 50,000 daily downloads from the official Dzair Tube website.
Honored with the Media Leadership Award from the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, Dzair Tube continues to shape the landscape of Algerian digital news, maintaining a position of influence and impact in the media industry.
