FAO and Algeria discuss sustainable development of agriculture and fisheries sectors
The Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Mr. Abdelhakim El Waer, is on an official visit to Algeria to strengthen the partnership between the Algerian Government and FAO around the issue of food security.
Accompanied by the FAO Representative in Algeria, Ms. Irina Buttoud, and her team, he met with Mr. Hamid Bensaâd, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, in the presence of senior officials from several key sectors.
This meeting served to reinforce the cooperation between FAO and the Ministry on several strategic areas aimed at supporting the sustainable development of the agriculture and fisheries sectors in Algeria.
Among the key topics discussed was the General Agricultural Census (RGA) project, highlighted as an essential tool for better understanding the sector’s realities and guiding agricultural strategies adapted to the national context. The FAO office in Algeria has provided technical support to this project, particularly in data collection and processing, thereby helping to update and improve sectoral knowledge.
The enhancement of the forestry sector and the empowerment of rural women were also central to the discussions, through concrete initiatives such as the development of beekeeping and the cultivation of medicinal plants. These activities contribute both to stimulating the local economy and promoting social inclusion.
As a reminder, FAO is currently leading three major forestry-related projects in Algeria, where women’s inclusion is a key cross-cutting priority:
The Suberaie project for the rehabilitation of the cork oak value chain.
The project to strengthen the governance of national parks.
And the integrated development project of the Bibans mountain range.
The meeting also focused on combating agricultural pests such as mealybugs and desert locusts, which pose significant threats to crop production. A regional action plan was discussed to help prevent and control the spread of these threats.
The Ministry of Agriculture and FAO reaffirmed their shared commitment to continue and expand their collaboration in a spirit of trust and lasting partnership, to support Algeria on the path toward a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future.