In Algeria, the agriculture and agribusiness sectors account for a substantial share of the national economy (more than 12%). They also contribute to the country’s food security and are sources of employment, especially for the mainly rural population. The agricultural fabric is predominantly composed of small, multi-activity family farms which work with small and medium-sized enterprises (processing, packaging and marketing).
Laying the groundwork for sustainable agriculture through the olive growing sector
The Agriculture Sector Support Programme (PASA) is tapping into the strong potential for the development of olive growing in Soummam Valley to lay the groundwork for sustainable agriculture in the region. It is working on two main components:
• Strengthen the competitiveness of economic operators in the olive growing sector, upstream and downstream, and the integration of cross-cutting gender and environmental issues
• Improve governance at the central and regional levels of the sector, through an increased participation of all the stakeholders and a more effective flow of information
In partnership with the Algerian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, PASA will implement capacity building, training, assistance, and organisational activities for producers and small businesses, along with activities to strengthen the technical and research institutes that support the sector.
Capacity building for olive growers and olive oil producers
The capacity building for the operators – olive growers and olive oil producers – has been organised through a soft assistance mechanism which has mobilised 60 advisers upstream and downstream in the sector to support industry professionals.
The mobilisation of Algerian expertise (17 trainers) to train these advisers through a system of cascade training has proved to be an innovative, unifying and sustainable approach. This system has been used to address the major issues in the sector:
• Upstream, on the size, maintenance, preservation and rejuvenation of orchards to ensure a profitable quantity of production
• Downstream, on the harvesting, storage and packaging of olives to ensure high-quality crushing
The network of advisers is now structured across the olive sector in the Soummam Valley to disseminate the good practices that are essential to improving the quality and quantity in the sector.
Improving the quality of olive oil
The laboratory of the Technical Institute of Fruit and Vine Growing (ITAFV) in Takrietz has benefited from substantial investments. An accreditation process is ensuring the quality of Algerian olive oil through the organisation ALGERAC and the accreditation of the International Olive Council.
This key national site constitutes a major step forward for the sector. It will help improve the quality of Algerian olive oil and facilitate its export. It will also be essential in improving the control of the oil sold on the domestic market.
Protecting water, the climate and the environment, key issues for the PASA project
The environmental dimension of the project has been addressed through various operations. The pilot sites constitute a pool of good water management practices to address climate change and accelerate the resilience of orchards.
The molecular characterisation of Algerian varieties confirms that there is an olive heritage to identify suitable and climate-resilient varieties, as well as the more endogenous varieties that have interesting organoleptic properties in terms of health.
Finally, the call for projects has supported the development of olive oil by-products (olive pomace, olive mill wastewater). Their storage and processing reduce the environmental impacts and provide economic opportunities.
Facilitating and improving access to markets
In addition to improving the quality of olive oil, processing and marketing oil is a central concern for the sector and a significant opportunity for development. Forums for exchange between operators, participation in the International Agri-Food Fair, marketing and packaging studies, support for the collective dynamics for processing (cooperatives) and group buying and marketing (export groups) are all relevant drivers that facilitate and improve access to markets.
Find out more: https://pasa-algerie.org/
Consult the project publications
