ALGERIA – Algeria’s National Office of Agricultural Lands (ONTA) has awarded Qatari company Al Rayan the rights to operate a large-scale agricultural concession.
The concession, spanning 1,811 hectares in Hassi El F’hel, located in the wilaya of El Menia in southern Algeria, aligns with the country’s strategy to counter the effects of persistent drought and water scarcity by promoting investment in irrigated agriculture, especially in its arid southern regions.
Al Rayan plans to establish irrigated agricultural operations, focusing on the production of cereals and fodder crops, both vital to Algeria’s domestic food supply chain and livestock feed industry.
To achieve this, the company will install 27 irrigation pivots, a move expected to increase the amount of irrigated land in the concession significantly.
Water scarcity remains a critical issue in Algeria, which receives an average of only 89 mm of rainfall annually, primarily in the northern regions.
This makes the expansion of irrigated agriculture a key component of the country’s strategy to improve food security and reduce reliance on food imports.
The partnership with Al Rayan reflects Algeria’s openness to foreign investment in its agricultural sector, particularly in projects that address the pressing challenges posed by climate change and water stress.
Djakhdem Hadj Aissa, a representative of Al Rayan, emphasized the long-term goals of the project, stating that the company aims to expand its operations to other areas if the results in Hassi El F’hel are promising.
“The objective is to expand the project to other areas if the results are encouraging and production abundant in this investment niche,” Aissa said.
Al Rayan will receive strong support from local government authorities, who are committed to facilitating the investment. This includes expediting the process of granting permits for drilling agricultural wells, a crucial step given Algeria’s significant water stress.
The government will also provide assistance through seed distribution programs and access to other agricultural inputs designed to enhance productivity.
Although the cost of the project has not been disclosed, the investment is expected to make a substantial contribution to the expansion of Algeria’s irrigated farmland.
As of 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture estimated that Algeria had approximately 1.5 million hectares of irrigated land, representing around 17% of the country’s useful agricultural area (UAA).
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