President Tebboune Announces Major Reforms in Agricultural Land Tenure and Durum Wheat Production
On Tuesday, November 26, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune unveiled two landmark initiatives aimed at transforming Algeria’s agricultural sector during the 50th anniversary celebration of the National Union of Algerian Farmers (UNPA) in Algiers. Speaking at the CIC Club des Pins, the president addressed longstanding issues related to agricultural land ownership and pledged to achieve self-sufficiency in durum wheat production by 2025.
Resolving Agricultural Land Ownership by 2025
In a bold move to address a challenge that has persisted since Algeria’s independence, President Tebboune announced plans to definitively resolve issues surrounding agricultural land tenure within the next two years. Emphasizing the importance of land ownership for productivity, he reiterated the slogan of the agrarian revolution: “The land belongs to whoever works it.”
“The land will go to whoever works it. We’re going to define land ownership, and that’s final,” he declared, receiving resounding applause from the audience. He further stressed the necessity of legal frameworks to secure and protect land rights, encouraging farmers to invest in and develop their land without uncertainty.
“Agricultural land is a problem that has been inherited since independence, but we are committed to bringing this issue to a definitive close by 2025,” Tebboune said. He urged the government to expedite efforts to establish clear regulations and ownership rights for agricultural land.
Toward Self-Sufficiency in Durum Wheat
Another key highlight of the president’s address was his ambitious plan to make Algeria self-sufficient in durum wheat production by 2025. President Tebboune revealed that Algeria currently produces 80% of its domestic durum wheat needs and announced measures to close the remaining 20% gap within the next two years.
“This year, we produced 80% of our durum wheat requirements. There’s still 20% to go, and we’ll be self-sufficient in durum wheat by 2025. I have instructed the government not to import even a quintal of durum wheat,” he stated.
The drive for self-sufficiency aligns with Tebboune’s broader agricultural policy goals, which also include reducing imports of corn and barley. These efforts are significant given Algeria’s reliance on cereal imports, which are projected to reach 14 million tonnes for the 2023-2024 season, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
A Vision for Agricultural Transformation
President Tebboune’s announcements reflect a strategic vision for Algeria’s agricultural sector, which aims to reduce reliance on imports, secure food sovereignty, and empower farmers. His pledge to achieve self-sufficiency in key crops by 2025 underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s agricultural base.
By addressing the critical issues of land tenure and enhancing local wheat production, these reforms have the potential to transform Algeria’s agricultural landscape. Farmers and policymakers alike are now tasked with ensuring that these goals become a reality within the stipulated timeline.
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