Agricultural policy: a revival announced

The President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has given a boost to agricultural modernisation by announcing, at a meeting on Monday, the creation of cooperatives specialising in the rental of farm equipment and the establishment of a National Council for Agricultural Mechanisation. Presented as immediate levers, these measures are part of a comprehensive offensive to boost food sovereignty and transform agriculture into a resilient economic pillar. The Head of State reaffirmed these priorities in his recent policy statements, notably in his speech to Parliament last December, where he stressed the urgent need to move from subsistence production to an export-oriented model.

Mechanisation could double production in 5 years

In practical terms, these cooperatives should make high-performance machinery, such as tractors, harvesters and seed drills, accessible to all farmers, especially small and medium-sized ones, without burdening them with ruinous individual purchases. In fact, for years, agricultural under-equipment has been slowing down the expansion of cultivated land and limiting yields to 1.5 tonnes per hectare for secondary cereals such as durum wheat (compared to a regional average of 3 to 4 tonnes, according to FAO 2025). This mechanisation could double production in five years, from 4 million tonnes of cereals per year to 8 million, covering 80% of national needs (compared to 50% today).

Economically, according to some experts, this should "translate into massive gains, through a 30 to 50% reduction in unit costs for farmers, freeing up margins to reinvest in seeds or irrigation, and a potential 20% increase in agricultural GDP, a sector that already accounts for 12% of the national economy."

The National Mechanisation Council, comprising the State, manufacturers and farmers, will be responsible for developing a coherent policy through accurate assessment of needs, optimisation of imports (which consume $1.5 billion annually in equipment), and the development of a local industry. This could generate thousands of direct jobs in manufacturing and maintenance, while capturing 20-30% of the domestic market by 2030. Reducing dependence on foreign suppliers would also secure supply chains and stabilise food prices.

Moving from subsistence farming to an export-oriented model

It should be noted that these decisions are part of a broader overhaul supported by the revised agricultural policy law, however, by scientific methods that aim to achieve a target of 2.5 tonnes per hectare and the mobilisation of an additional 3 million hectares. On the ground, the stakes are enormous. Moving from subsistence farming to an export-oriented model could add $5 billion to national revenues within a decade, through surpluses in cereals and legumes.

This is why President Tebboune's roadmap establishes agriculture as a driver of resilience. It provides an immediate response to the needs of more than 2 million farmers, with cooperatives generating stable rental income and long-term structuring through dedicated management. His vision for the agricultural sector is centred on the imperative of national food sovereignty, to transform Algeria into an export powerhouse by 2030. This strategy is based primarily on the massive expansion of arable land, with a particular focus on the development of Saharan agriculture. The ambition is to ensure total self-sufficiency in cereals, particularly durum wheat, while reducing dependence on imports.

These measures are accompanied by better regulation of the agricultural sector and increased purchasing power for citizens, particularly through strict control of meat prices and consumer goods. Finally, the government is continuing to step up its investment in modern irrigation infrastructure and support for seed producers to consolidate the foundations of a rural economy that is resilient to climate challenges and global market fluctuations.