Authorities are ramping up training efforts in agriculture, targeting specialized skills for operating and maintaining farm machinery. Industry experts hail the move as essential but call for extended, in-depth programs to build true proficiency.
A joint action plan emerged from a high-level coordination meeting between the Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, and Vocational Training and Professional Education. Chaired by their respective heads, the session zeroed in on mechanization training needs.
Industry Backs Longer Courses
Abdelghani Benali, secretary-general of the National Interprofessional Cereals Council (CNIC), welcomed the initiative as a follow-up to top-level mechanization pushes. “Training youth in agriculture is a smart step—we need skilled operators,” he told Le Jeune Indépendant.
He cautioned, however, against short three-month stints. “Opt for at least 12 months to produce certified technicians, not just machine drivers,” Benali urged, emphasizing mastery of adjustments, upkeep, and harvest gear like combines. He spotlighted the role of Specialized Mid-Level Agricultural Technology Institutes (ITMAS).
Government Steps Up
The Agriculture Ministry’s growing emphasis on human resources shines through recent actions, capped by Wednesday’s coordination summit. Ministers Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid and Nacima Arhab approved the joint plan for trainers and specialists in machinery handling and repair.
Attended by key stakeholders, the talks assessed mechanization gaps—especially in strategic grains production, plagued by shortages of qualified combine operators. Tailored programs are set, including an accelerated course for harvest drivers ahead of the 2025-2026 campaign starting mid-April in southern provinces.
This Saturday, the inaugural session on best practices for combine operation and maintenance kicked off at Sampo-Algerie in Sidi Bel Abbes. Participants will gain hands-on expertise in technical handling and field repairs.