✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | June 30th, 2024 — As Algeria intensifies its efforts to ensure long-term food security, several large-scale agro-industrial projects are being launched. Among these initiatives, Cevital Group has recently taken a significant step by launching its first bottle of 100% Algerian table oil, named Djawhara. This development, presented at the Algiers International Fair (FIA), is part of an ambitious project aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in oil and sugar, with plans to export any surpluses.
Ambitious Agricultural Projects
Cevital’s initiatives are part of a broader strategy that includes a $3.5 billion project with the Qatari firm Baladna to cultivate 117,000 hectares, and a $1 billion investment from the Italian company Bonifiche Ferraresi for cereal cultivation on 36,000 hectares. These projects demonstrate Algeria’s determination to develop intensive and modern agriculture to secure its food supply.
Reducing Dependency and Diversifying the Economy
The government’s ambition is clear: reduce Algeria’s dependency on food imports and diversify an economy traditionally reliant on hydrocarbons. This vision encourages Algerian economic operators to engage in full-process production. In this context, Cevital is set to enter the second phase of its extensive project for producing 100% Algerian table oil, which includes expanding the cultivated areas for oilseeds. According to Malik Rebrab, the head of Cevital, local oil production requires 1.6 million tons of oilseeds annually, which equates to approximately 600,000 hectares of agricultural land.
Realistic and Achievable Goals
The President of the Republic, who inaugurated the FIA, considers this goal to be realistic and achievable, noting that one hectare can produce 2.5 tons of seeds. However, the President emphasized the need to increase efforts to reach an annual oilseed production of 2.5 to 3 million tons. “This would not only lift restrictions on the export of table oil but also boost the production of animal feed by utilizing by-products from oilseeds and beet pulp,” he highlighted.
Utilizing By-products for Animal Feed
The exploitation of oilseed cakes and beet pulp, used by Cevital in its sugar production, are crucial elements in manufacturing animal feed. These by-products are nutritious and cost-effective when used as feed supplements.
Towards 100% Algerian Sugar
During his exchange with the President of the Republic, Malik Rebrab discussed another aspect of Cevital’s ambitious program: producing sugar from locally grown raw materials. He mentioned extensive surveys conducted in the wilayas of El-Menéa and Ouargla, where agricultural areas of 200,000 hectares each have been identified as suitable for this project.
Overcoming Challenges and Maximizing Opportunities
The future of these monumental projects will depend on the ability of various stakeholders to overcome structural challenges and maximize the opportunities presented by these strategic investments. Effective project implementation, prudent water resource management, and continuous public policy support will be crucial to achieving the set goals.
These projects underscore Algeria’s commitment to fostering a robust, self-sufficient agricultural sector capable of contributing to the nation’s food security and economic diversification. As these initiatives progress, they hold the promise of transforming Algeria into a significant player in the global agricultural market.
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.
