The agricultural sector welcomes Tebboune's decisions

During the Council of Ministers meeting, President Tebboune called for the immediate liberation of the agricultural sector from entrenched bureaucracy. The message is clear: increase Algerian production, ensure food security, and strengthen Algeria's sovereignty. Another important decision: the head of state ordered the creation of agricultural cooperatives under the public group Agrodiv.

The CNIFC welcomes the removal of bureaucratic obstacles

These structures will be responsible for making agricultural equipment available to farmers. They will be distributed according to the area cultivated in each wilaya. The aim is to improve productivity. With this in mind, the president has instructed the prime minister to draw up a specific legal framework for these cooperatives as soon as possible. Prioritizing agricultural equipment that complies with standards and is immediately available will also provide effective support to producers. Cooperatives and farms will thus have access to the equipment they need for production and harvesting.

The secretary general of the National Interprofessional Council for the Cereal Sector (CNIFC), Abdelghani Benali, welcomes the French president's guidelines, believing that they “hit the mark” in terms of modernizing the agricultural sector and removing bureaucratic obstacles. Regarding the liberation of the agricultural sector from bureaucracy, Benali asserts that many actions are hampered by decisions made in sectors other than agriculture.

The obstacle of importing spare parts for local equipment

"For example, agricultural equipment depends on the Ministry of Industry, the management of certain products also depends on the Ministry of Industry, the fertilizers needed for crop development and yields depend on the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and transportation is the responsibility of other administrations. Today, to obtain fertilizers, you have to go through several levels. Even tracking these fertilizers or subsidies requires administrative procedures, which slows down development efforts,“ explains Benali. He adds,” The President was right to want to remove any bureaucratic obstacles. We expect to remove these obstacles quickly, because bureaucratic management slows down access to essential equipment and inputs."Benali also details the challenges associated with acquiring and producing agricultural equipment. “The recurring problem concerns equipment. Even large local companies that manufacture equipment depend on the Ministry of Industry and must obtain import permits, including for spare parts, which slows down decision-making. The situation is particularly difficult in the south, where we have an almost total lack of equipment,” he explains.

Credit problem


As regards the creation of cooperatives via Agrodiv, he believes it is necessary to create a subsidiary specializing in agricultural management, with competent teams. In his opinion, the public group could manage the acquisition of equipment, “but it is difficult to obtain several hundred combine harvesters, when for 100 to 150 hectares, only one machine is needed for a month's work.” In addition, he believes that many cooperatives lack access to credit and are heavily affected by administrative decisions and mortgages, which limit their ability to acquire equipment.

“We should review subsidies for equipment purchases, at least for the next three years. Today, a combine harvester costs more than 14 million dinars, while subsidies cover less than 9 million. A review would make it easier for farmers to invest,” he notes. Benali also draws attention to the specific needs of the south: “A combine harvester suitable for southern crops must have a cutting table of at least 9 meters. The equipment must be robust to withstand mechanical wear and tear and local conditions. Equipment rental must cover all agricultural needs, including seeders, harvesters, and drones,” he argues.

Finally, he stresses the importance of professional and integrated management: "Expertise will be needed within the cooperatives and the Agrodiv group to manage all the farms, with quick and effective solutions. Our crops require smooth management, clear visibility on requirements, and actions to be carried out. We are soon entering the sowing and harvesting season, and good organization is essential to avoid delays and ensure better yields."

Establishing a genuine cooperative culture

The national secretary of the National Union of Algerian Farmers (UNPA), Slimane Draibine, welcomes the President's policy guidelines. He believes that decisions announced address the core concerns of the agricultural sector and respond to the obstacles highlighted by industry professionals. Draibine believes that bureaucracy remains one of the main obstacles to agricultural development. In particular, he cites administrative delays that complicate access to essential inputs, such as fertilizers, which are often difficult to obtain.

These lengthy and sometimes discouraging procedures penalize farmers and directly impact yields.  In this context, he highlights the President's decision to create cooperatives dedicated to agricultural equipment, which he considers “wise and strategic.” He believes this measure is crucial for modernizing farms and supporting the rise of productive agriculture. For the official, the development of efficient agriculture cannot be achieved without high-capacity technical resources, whether combine harvesters or high-powered tractors. However, he points out that most Algerian farmers are smallholders who lack the financial resources to purchase such expensive equipment.

Hence, according to him, urgent action is needed to establish a genuine cooperative culture, which has long been neglected. He calls on farmers to form cooperatives to pool costs, facilitate access to modern equipment, and improve their competitiveness. He points out that farmers need equipment that complies with standards, is stable and reliable, and offers optimal efficiency. Finally, Slimane Draibine affirms that farmers fully support President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's policy and say they are fully committed to helping raise the agricultural sector to a high level of performance.