New Agricultural Strategy to boost food sovereignty

The agricultural sector  is preparing to reshape its strategy through a new draft law aimed at strengthening food sovereignty and improving the sector’s performance. The proposed legislation, currently under discussion with stakeholders, seeks to lay the foundations of a modern and more efficient food policy.

Speaking during a workshop at the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, Minister Yacine El Mahdi Oualid said the reform comes in response to lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, global cereal market disruptions and the growing impact of climate change. These challenges, he noted, have highlighted the urgent need for Algeria to secure its food supply and build greater resilience in its agricultural system.

The draft law outlines several key priorities: digitising the sector, simplifying administrative procedures, reforming the system of subsidies and introducing new financing mechanisms. It also aims to protect local genetic resources  both plant and animal considered vital for long-term food security.

One of the major shifts proposed is moving state support away from subsidising agricultural inputs towards backing actual production, a change intended to improve both efficiency and fairness. New regulatory tools are also planned to shield farmers from material losses while protecting consumers from recurring price spikes.

The reform further seeks to modernise agricultural governance by clarifying the roles of the state, local authorities and professional organisations, while promoting data-driven decision-making, transparency and regular evaluation. Meanwhile, agricultural land management will be addressed through a separate law designed to simplify the complex legal framework and allocate land based on economic criteria to genuine farmers and investors.

In short, the future model is meant to move the sector from good intentions to measurable results, with clear performance indicators guiding policy. Farming organisations have broadly welcomed the initiative, stressing the importance of involving professionals in decision-making and viewing the reform as a step towards stronger national food security.