Engineer Salma Amraoui on Algerian TV: “Sunflower has become the top crop due to its high oil yield and resilience in the face of water scarcity.”

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Engineer Salma Amraoui Highlights the Agronomic and Economic Advantages of Sunflower Farming on Algerian National Television

Algiers, Algeria | May 8th, 2025 — In an appearance on Algerian National Television, agricultural engineer Salma Amraoui outlined the growing shift among Algerian farmers and agri-investors toward sunflower cultivation, underscoring its technical, economic, and environmental advantages over other oilseed crops like soybeans and canola. Her remarks shed light on a rising national strategy that responds to climate challenges while aiming to enhance Algeria’s self-sufficiency in oil production.

Amraoui opened by emphasizing that sunflower has emerged as Algeria’s top oilseed crop, thanks to its exceptional oil yield, reaching up to 40%, making it an economically viable and productive choice for edible oil industries. This yield potential, she said, sets sunflowers apart from other competing crops and places Algeria in a favorable position to reduce its reliance on imported vegetable oils.

She pointed out that sunflower oil is naturally rich in unsaturated fatty acids, aligning with global health standards and increasing its market value. From a practical standpoint, sunflowers require significantly fewer agricultural inputs. Their short four-month growth cycle gives farmers a strategic advantage in seasonal planning, especially when compared to the longer cycles of canola or soybeans.

Amraoui stressed the importance of adapting agriculture to Algeria’s growing water crisis, noting that sunflowers are drought-resistant and water-efficient, making them ideal in regions affected by climate variability. Agricultural experiments in both northern and southern Algeria have confirmed the crop’s resilience, signaling its potential for large-scale adoption.

Addressing land suitability, she explained that Algeria’s diverse climate and soil types support sunflower cultivation, although high salinity levels—exceeding 3000 ppm—can be detrimental. She also advocated for integrating sunflowers into crop rotation systems, particularly following wheat, to enhance soil health and combat disease cycles thanks to sunflowers’ natural resistance and rapid maturation.

Furthermore, Amraoui highlighted sunflowers’ minimal dependence on fertilizers, especially nitrogen, making it cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Their robust resistance to common plant diseases further reduces farmers’ expenses and operational risks.

In terms of agricultural policy, she emphasized that the Algerian state plays a central role in facilitating market access for sunflower products, a move designed to encourage farmers and agri-investors to commit to this promising crop. The state’s involvement ensures that producers have reliable outlets for their harvests, which strengthens trust in the value chain and promotes expansion.

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