Yacine Oualid’s Agricultural Revolution: A New Era for Algeria’s Food Sovereignty
✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers – October 2025 – In a visionary move that marks a turning point in Algeria’s economic and agricultural trajectory, the new Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries, Yacine Oualid, has unveiled an ambitious strategy to launch what he describes as a “genuine agrarian revolution.” This transformation, he asserts, is not merely an option but an imperative, dictated by the escalating effects of climate change and the shifting geopolitical realities that increasingly disrupt global trade and food security chains.
For decades, Algeria has depended heavily on imports to meet its food needs, despite its vast untapped agricultural potential. Today, the nation stands on the threshold of a decisive shift aimed at securing food sovereignty and transforming agriculture into a genuine engine of national wealth and a key contributor to non-hydrocarbon exports. It is within this context that the Ministry convened a major National Conference on the Modernization of the Agricultural Sector at the International Conference Center (CIC) in Algiers. The gathering brought together nearly one thousand participants, including national and international experts, agricultural professionals, and representatives of financial, economic, and governmental institutions.
During his address, Minister Oualid declared that traditional agriculture belongs to the past, emphasizing the need for a new model grounded in technological innovation and data-driven decision-making. “Our ambition is clear, and our objectives are precise,” he affirmed. “We aim to reach yields of 35 to 40 quintals per hectare—or more—within the next five years, through the widespread adoption of improved seeds and intelligent farming practices.”
He underscored that digitalization is not a slogan but a necessity, announcing the creation of a unified national information system that will allow authorities to make strategic decisions based on accurate, real-time data. Despite Algeria’s vast territory of 2.38 million square kilometers, only 3.6 percent is currently used for agriculture, and a mere 7 percent of its 100 billion cubic meters of annual rainfall is exploited—a situation the minister intends to radically change.
“Our needs have changed, and so must our policy,” he insisted, stressing the importance of transitioning to smart irrigation systems that optimize water consumption. The ministry’s long-term vision extends to 2060, with the goal of creating a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector capable of feeding a projected population of over 65 million people.
In a forward-looking approach, Minister Oualid also announced the introduction of satellite and drone technologies to monitor farmland and enhance productivity, as well as the integration of academic research and start-up innovation in areas such as smart agriculture, precision management, and yield improvement. He further emphasized the need to harness the potential of research centers and genetic banks, while unveiling a “revolutionary” approach to water management through the expansion of drip irrigation systems and the use of treated wastewater for agricultural purposes.
A national traceability system will also be established to track agricultural products from field to market, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and better assessment of support mechanisms provided to farmers. The minister reaffirmed that the future of Algerian agriculture lies in the South, where over 1.3 million hectares are planned for exploitation following the allocation of 300,000 hectares to major investments in strategic crops. Early results in southern regions are already promising, with wheat yields surpassing 50 quintals per hectare.
To stimulate this dynamic, innovative financing mechanisms will soon be launched alongside digitalized land allocation procedures, encouraging both domestic and foreign investors to expand operations in southern wilayas. “The challenges facing agriculture require us to rely on science and technology and to adopt a modern approach capable of ensuring food security,” Oualid emphasized.
A Scientific Council for Food Security is also being established to ensure continuous coordination between policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Start-ups showcased their innovations in the conference’s central hall, offering practical solutions for large-scale agricultural projects in the South.
The conference is expected to conclude with a comprehensive set of recommendations and actionable measures aimed at transforming Algerian agriculture into a productive, sustainable, competitive, and wealth-generating sector. Workshops focused on intensifying production, sustainable water management, mechanization, digitalization, financial reform, institutional governance, and market regulation will define the contours of Algeria’s new agricultural paradigm—a revolution that, under Yacine Oualid’s leadership, may well redefine the nation’s economic destiny.
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