Agriculture now contributes around 15% to GDP, forming a promising sector central to national food security. Yet it confronts a major obstacle: climate change and shrinking water resources. This interview with agricultural development consultant Aissa Manseur examines the sector’s water use, key resources, challenges, and solutions—especially to support Algeria’s ambitious agricultural initiatives—while stressing the critical need for advanced irrigation techniques.
Le Jeune Indépendant: What percentage of national water consumption does agriculture account for?
Aissa Manseur: Per 2021 National Economic, Social, and Environmental Council data, Algeria’s total water potential stands at 18 billion cubic meters. Agriculture consumes 62% of national demand, drinking water 35%, and industry 3%.
Which irrigation resources are most utilized? Do we make sufficient use of treated wastewater?
Algerian agriculture relies primarily on groundwater and surface water for irrigation. Groundwater—the most exploited resource, especially in desert areas and high plains—mainly involves wells and boreholes, the predominant access method covering much of the 2.1 million hectares of irrigated land, according to the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Surface water plays a key role in the north but remains constrained by erratic rainfall and storage facility silting. Dams primarily store wadi surface water to irrigate vast areas. Algeria operates 81 dams with 9 billion cubic meter capacity, plus 5 under construction adding 300 million cubic meters. Smaller hill reservoirs support limited irrigation across 121 total structures: 59 large dams and 62 small ones.
Treated wastewater utilization is progressing. The Hydraulics Minister recently noted 234 purification systems with 1.1 billion cubic meters annual theoretical capacity. Currently, 601 million cubic meters get treated yearly, with 19% reused in agriculture and industry.
Algeria pursues major southern farm projects like Baladna and BF requiring massive water volumes. What resources serve these areas, and can water-efficient irrigation be implemented?
Southern regions depend heavily on groundwater, particularly non-renewable fossil aquifers like the Albian, the main local source.
These megaprojects demand enormous irrigation volumes amid year-round intense heat. Though vast in total, exploitation requires sustainability. These waters often prove warm, salty, or brackish, needing costly desalination and demineralization.
Repeated frequent watering risks topsoil salt buildup, harming productivity—worsened by unsuitable techniques and poor drainage.
Advanced water-saving irrigation proves essential, especially smart systems using soil moisture sensors for precise regulation. Highly effective, they deliver optimal water at optimal times. Modern pivots and sprinklers can integrate sensors to minimize waste.
Should foreign expertise in water-efficient irrigation and digital agriculture be engaged?
A 2023 Cahiers Economiques study, “Climate Change Impacts on Algeria’s Agricultural and Hydraulic Sectors (2010-2022),” confirms our water deficit. Water-saving systems cover 60% of irrigated land, demanding accelerated expansion.
Agriculture must embrace innovation across techniques, particularly irrigation, for rational water use. Foreign expertise here proves invaluable.
Algeria already pursues digital agriculture to modernize, enhance productivity, and optimize water/soil via precision farming, drones, and connected systems. Transition remains essential, though infrastructure, costs, and training pose hurdles. Initiatives like digitizing the National Agricultural Registry and sectoral platforms (ODAS, ONTA) show progress.
Adapting Crops to Water Reality
Does water scarcity necessitate crop selection? Should less thirsty varieties replace watermelons in western low-rainfall zones?
Aissa Manseur: Scarce water demands comprehensive strategy. Climate change’s long-term threats to farming get overlooked; short-term fixes won’t suffice—agriculture requires water!
Some arid-adapted crops need minimal water, but most demand frequent heavy irrigation.
Rationalizing farm water use grows urgent in Algeria. Resource management prioritizes food security and sustainability.
Farmers employ practices boosting efficiency: genetic variety selection, modern low-water irrigation, and on-site retention basins.
Shouldn’t crop mapping align with rainfall patterns?
Aissa Manseur: “Crop mapping” implies one exists. To my knowledge, no national bioclimatic production distribution map guides planting.
Farmers decide freely, lacking advisory support or planning guidance. No coordination links farmers, agricultural administration, or sector councils. Absent market forecasting, production swings from surplus to shortage.
Rain-fed farming exposes crops to drought and erratic rains, yielding losses and poor output. Rainfall alone cannot meet basic needs. Rational national water mobilization enables any region to grow any crop if water flows