des experts appellent à renforcer la coopération entre les secteurs agricole et industriel pour accroître les capacités de transformation et d’exportation
Summary of the Agro-Food Industry Workshop in Algiers
On Thursday, participants in an agro-food industry workshop in Algiers emphasized the need for enhancing agricultural production capabilities and expanding the areas dedicated to transformable agricultural products. This discussion underscored the importance of tightly coordinating agricultural and industrial sectors throughout all stages of the production chain.
The workshop was part of the 23rd edition of the International Exhibition of Agriculture, Livestock, and Agro-Food Industries (SIPSA-Filaha), which began on May 26 and concluded recently. Key speakers highlighted the significance of rational and optimal use of available resources, particularly agricultural products meant for transformation. They stressed the necessity of improving collaboration between farmers and processors, aiming to ensure a complementary flow from cultivation to final products. This cooperation is intended to generate added value and facilitate more effective access to foreign markets.
Key Insights and Recommendations
Mustapha Mazouzi, the president of the National Interprofessional Council of the Tomato Sector, noted significant yield improvements in recent years that have led to self-sufficiency in tomato production, with aspirations for export due to rising international demand. He advocated for expanding transformation activities to include tomato drying and juice extraction, which would contribute to economic dynamism and alleviate pressures on cold storage facilities.
Mazouzi also underscored the importance of establishing partnerships and cooperative agreements in research and training with universities, vocational training centers, and research institutes. This collaboration aims to stay abreast of sector developments and enhance the profitability of agricultural transformation projects.
Sassi Labadlia, president of the Agriculture Chamber of El Tarf province, presented the region’s diverse agricultural potentials—particularly in tomato, citrus, peanut, fruit tree production, and beekeeping. He emphasized the integration of scientific research to support these strategic sectors, mentioning multiple cooperation agreements with educational and research institutions to boost agro-food transformation activities, such as dried tomatoes and small fruit processing.
Cherif Boublenza, founder of "Boublenza," a company specializing in carob production and processing, shared his success story in exporting carob powder to around fifty countries, where it serves as a cocoa substitute or finds application in the pharmaceutical industry. He advocated for the designation of carob, olive, and palm cultivation as strategic crops. Given Algeria’s natural advantages, he posited that cultivating ten million carob trees by 2035 could create 100,000 jobs and generate over 200 million dollars in export revenue.
Economist Mourad Bouattou, president of "Algeria Cluster," highlighted the need for connection among all stakeholders in the production chain—from farmers to processors—by defining product types and quantities. This alignment would ensure the continuity and sustainability of transformation activities.
Conclusion
The workshop in Algiers served as a vital platform for discussing the future of Algeria’s agro-food industry. The call for improved production capacities, enhanced collaboration across sectors, and strategic planning reflects a collective effort to position Algeria effectively within the global agro-food market. By leveraging its agricultural potential, the country aims to not only achieve self-sufficiency but also create jobs and increase export revenues through targeted initiatives and partnerships.
