Algeria launches strategic plan to boost date exports and modernize the agricultural sector

Algeria's Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries, led by Minister Yacine Oualid, is implementing a strategic plan to modernize its date sector and increase non-hydrocarbon exports. The initiative aims to leverage Algeria's position as the third-largest Arab date producer, with an annual production of 1.3 million tons from nearly 19 million palm trees. Key measures include combating parasites, promoting mechanization through local production or facilitated imports via Agrodrive, and establishing a specialized laboratory for agricultural product analysis, labeling, and certification. This laboratory, a partnership between the National Chamber of Agriculture and the National Institute of Agronomic Research, will ensure Algerian dates meet international standards. The plan also focuses on organizing professionals into cooperatives to enhance local marketing and international market share. Infrastructure improvements are central, with efforts to connect farms to electricity, promote solar energy, open agricultural tracks, and assist with well drilling. Financial support includes facilitating access to credit for cold storage, even for farmers without formal property titles. Additionally, the ministry is simplifying banking and administrative procedures for exports and providing large-capacity containers. The government is also promoting industrial transformation of dates, with dedicated industrial zones supervised by the National Agency for Investment Promotion