Implications for Agricultural Reclamation Policies on the Dynamics of Desert Agriculture: A Case Study of El Oued, Algeria

Abstract

     The policy of agricultural land reclamation pursued by Algeria, and the piece of program and concession it has allocated since independence aims to achieve food security by increasing the area of irrigated land, raising and diversifying agricultural production, using new means and methods for the optimal use of the land; has given very significant results, especially in the desert areas which have known a great agricultural dynamism, due to its share of reclamation and agricultural concession programs. It has become an agricultural pole, by recently achieving a large production of crops (potatoes, wheat, barley, peanuts,…etc).

The current study aimed to reveal the role played by desert land reclamation operations in the agricultural field, and their impact on the agricultural dynamism in El Oued Wilaya.

The study sample included 120 investors,  which were randomly selected, and distributed over five communes as they hit the first ranks in national production. And the questionnaire includes a set of axes, including the axis of agricultural reclamation.

The study found that agricultural reclamation programs that benefited El Oued had a positive impact on increasing the volume of plants and animal production, it also contributed to covering the needs of national markets with various agricultural products. This made it an open agricultural market that attracts traders from many regions inside and outside the wilaya, relying on the strength and quality of production.