The Italian project for the production of cereals and legumes in Timimoun is making significant progress. This announcement was made by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries, Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid, during a review of the project’s progress.
The minister received the CEO of the Italian group Bonifiche Ferraresi (BF), Federico Vecchioni, who was accompanied by a delegation from the company “BF Algeria.” This meeting was part of the ongoing monitoring of this strategic project, which covers an area of 36,000 hectares. Discussions focused on the progress made and preparations underway for the current 2025-2026 plowing-sowing campaign.
According to a statement from the ministry, work related to basic infrastructure, including energy, roads, and communications, is also advancing at a satisfactory pace. In this regard, Yacine Oualid issued instructions to facilitate the remaining operations.
The minister emphasized that this integrated project, which enjoys special interest from the authorities of both countries and is a priority under the Mattei Plan, aims to be a pioneering model in modern agricultural investments. It is based on scientific research, technology, innovation, and the transfer of know-how.
Furthermore, Yacine Oualid highlighted that the Algerian-Italian partnership in the agricultural sector opens promising prospects, as this project represents a concrete example of the strength of bilateral cooperation.
It should be noted that this large-scale project is intended to produce wheat, lentils, dry beans, and chickpeas, as well as cultivate oilseeds such as soybeans. It also includes the construction of processing units for pasta production, storage silos, and other essential facilities.
The project, with a total value of 420 million dollars, will contribute to strengthening national cereal and pulse production, increasing non-hydrocarbon exports through pasta exports, and creating more than 6,700 jobs.
It is the result of a partnership between the Italian group “BF” and the Algerian state, represented by the National Investment Fund (FNI), under a framework agreement signed in July 2024.
This project is part of national efforts to strengthen food security through the implementation of the National Strategic Crop Development Plan (covering cereals, legumes, sugar crops, oilseeds, seeds, and milk).
It is worth recalling that the Italian partner BF has already received a 900-hectare agricultural concession in Ouargla. Within this second concession, it plans to use advanced agronomic techniques, such as crop rotation, to optimize agricultural yield, particularly in the cereal sector.
Moreover, the project will include a component dedicated to training and technical cooperation, notably concerning the Green Dam as well as all aspects related to combating desertification, stabilizing sand dunes, and adapting to climate change.
It also aims to “consolidate and strengthen the historically excellent bilateral relations between Algeria and Italy on all levels and accelerate the national economic process toward achieving self-sufficiency.”
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, this is the second largest agricultural project after the one concluded with the Qatari group Baladna for powdered milk production in Adrar, under a joint venture owned 49% by the National Investment Fund (FNI) and 51% by the Qatari party.