3.3 Improved Production (Improved Scenario)
In order to improve the hard situation confronted in the
agriculture field, farmers in Algeria have resorted to many innovative tools
and practices to rescue its loss in reproductive capacity. For example, the
adoption of technical innovations in the irrigation system like the mini-pivot
which have considerably affected the production system
In fact, the government has supported smallholders to develop
new irrigated perimeters and has created new farms particularly in its south.
Added to this, it has attempted to remove the main limiting factor: water
deficit modernization in agriculture which has a tremendous impact on the
expansion of arable land. Therefore, with increasing number of boreholes and
the mobilization of new investments for the realization of hydraulic
infrastructures, new techniques like, mobile drip irrigation
system(mini-pivot), have been implemented and permit an optimal and better
exploitation of water resources.
Further, in order to sell the crops at a good price,
smallholders have thought about storing them and selling them when prices rise.
However, Algeria is characterized by a semi-arid climate and high- temperatures
make the situation harder. Therefore it's
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necessary for it to find innovative solutions to store the
products for long periods of time.
Accordingly, the increase in production will occur and it is
necessary to find other innovative marketing channels and even improve the
quality of the agricultural product and move towards export.
Moreover, the current study is going to highlight other
improved techniques such as an example, good agricultural practices (GAP),
which include accurate farm measurement, the use of crop calendars, the
diversification of production and, the adoption of basic cultivation techniques
to improves water management and increase land productivity. In addition, the
access to other financial services such as savings, loan insurance and other
facilities are the key techniques for more improved farming production.
3.4 Material
In this present study, the case of Algeria was chosen
following the contributions during the internship period in the preparation of
the training FBS Potato for Algeria.
Figure 3 selected FBS Training
Source: GIZ/ FBS Potato. 2020
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Algeria is the largest country in Africa and the most
populated in the Maghreb region. Gross domestic product is rising moderately at
1.4 percent per year. Its development (like in the entire economy) depends
essentially on the production and exportation of oil and natural gas. Nearly
half of Algeria's 40 million people are under the age of 25. The major economic
policy challenge is to create sufficient jobs for the young population, which
continues to grow rapidly. The country's natural resources are under increasing
pressure from population growth, economic development and climate change.
The project is taking place in the commune of El Oued, also
called Oued Souf. It is located in the northeastern Algerian Sahara and south
of Chott Melrhir, which is 79 km east-northeast of Touggourt, 212 km northeast
of Ouargla and 512 km southeast of Algeria.
Figure 4 Google Maps. (n.d.). location of the municipality
el Oued
Regarding agriculture, potato has become one of the main crops
for domestic consumption. Thus, Algeria is the greatest potato producer in the
Arab world and the second in Africa, after South Africa. Algerians annually
consume the equivalent of three times the world average of 31 kilograms.
Algeria produces 47 million quintals annually, with local demand being met by
local producers. However, the disorganization that characterizes this sector
causes a surplus at certain times of the year. The large quantities that the
market cannot absorb tend to drive prices down.
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The Municipality of El Oued is ranked first in terms of potato
production, with 13 million quintals and a planted area of 40,000 hectares,
representing 30% of national production. The importance of the commune El Oued
in the potatoes production makes it a strategic product for the national
economy, the private partners and the expectations of the local market. The
action zone of the FBS potato project took place in this area.
For the following study a database established by the
consultants of the FBS potato project will be used. It includes all economic
calculations for the main product potato and the two complementary products
peanut and onion. In order to answer the research question, economic
calculations will be used for analysis and discussion.
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