President Tebboune Rejects Reclassification of Agricultural Land, Calls for Its Protection

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has firmly rejected the reclassification of agricultural land for public infrastructure projects during the Council of Ministers on October 5, urging the government to safeguard Algeria’s remaining fertile lands amid growing urban expansion.

This decision comes as Algeria faces alarming rates of land artificialization, threatening its food security and agricultural sustainability. During the meeting, Tebboune instructed ministers to halt the transformation of farmland into construction zones, emphasizing the need for preservation policies.

Agro-economist Omar Bessaoud highlighted that in 2016, Algeria’s 12 southern wilayas—covering 89% of the territory—accounted for just 13% of the population, while 87% resided in the 36 northern wilayas, representing only 11% of the country’s surface. This imbalance mirrors broader demographic trends across the Maghreb, where populations cluster near the coast.

Urban sprawl has particularly impacted regions like Mitidja, Skikda, Annaba, and Oran, where farmland is increasingly converted into residential and industrial zones. Authorities report rising cases of illegal construction, sometimes conducted overnight to evade oversight. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that demolitions are carried out only after legal options are exhausted and under strict supervision by regional governors.

Historical data from the Ministry of Agriculture shows that 150,000 hectares of farmland have been lost to urbanization since 1962. Experts argue that the assumption of Algeria’s “infinite” agricultural land is false, as climatic and soil conditions severely limit cultivable areas. Fertile northern plains such as Mitidja and El Tarf remain essential for national food production, benefiting from rainfall exceeding 600 mm annually, compared to the national average of 241 mm.

Conversely, the vast steppe and desert regions are marked by poor, limestone-rich soils requiring heavy irrigation and costly infrastructure to sustain crops. Agricultural modernization projects, including desert farming and greenhouse initiatives, face high operational costs that make them unsustainable without government support.

Inland cities like Batna and Ghardaïa also witness urban encroachment on once-productive lands. Traditional water management systems and fertile valleys are being replaced by concrete housing, jeopardizing both heritage and agriculture.

Tebboune’s directive signals a turning point in Algeria’s land management strategy. As the population nears 50 million, experts call for decentralization and investment in southern infrastructure to ease pressure on the northern plains. Only through balanced regional development and strict farmland protection can Algeria achieve true food security.