The Chief Executive Officer of Agrodrive, Benyoucef Derkaoui, confirmed on Wednesday that his firm has launched an initial phase of agricultural mechanization. This rollout focuses primarily on machinery for the current harvesting season and preparations for the upcoming 2026/2027 sowing cycle. He also revealed the finalization of a contract with the AGM group to secure 1,850 tractors alongside additional farming machinery.
This initiative is not solely designed to assist growers during grain seasons but represents part of a broader blueprint aimed at reinforcing all vital agricultural segments through technical modernization, he stated during an appearance on National Radio.
The executive noted that a specialized panel has been established to analyze the distinct characteristics of the nation’s diverse farming regions and land sizes, ensuring the selected gear aligns perfectly with the requirements of local farmers. He noted that certain implements will be brought in from abroad when domestic manufacturing falls short, aiming to provide comprehensive backing to the agrarian sector and bolster domestic food security.
In this regard, Mr. Derkaoui highlighted a signed agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Vocational Training, which aims to instruct youth in fields centered on vehicle upkeep, machinery operation, and other technical disciplines.
He further mentioned that multiple educational workshops were recently set up in Sidi Bel Abbès for farmers and sector professionals. This past April, instructional days focused on the handling of agricultural machinery were initiated, while an additional workshop took place in early May featuring delegates from the Finnish manufacturer SAMPO. This training specifically targeted personnel from the Algerian Interprofessional Grain Office (OAIC) as well as Agrodrive staff, centering on Comia harvesters, which are highlighted as advanced, smart machinery.
When questioned about the rates offered by Agrodrive in comparison to private operators, the CEO maintained that the enterprise aims to deliver affordable options to producers. He clarified that the rental fee for combine harvesters is presently set at roughly 6,000 DZD per hectare, a pricing model that mirrors the one used by the OAIC.
For the 2026 harvesting campaign, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries announced an unprecedented deployment of resources across the country, beginning gradually in the southern territories. This undertaking aligns with the push to modernize the agrarian layout, following directives from the state’s top leadership.
At the core of this strategy is the establishment of Agrodrive, a company destined to fulfill a pivotal role in accelerating farming mechanization. According to published metrics, more than 1,100 combine harvesters will be deployed nationwide, with 330 units managed directly under Agrodrive’s supervision.
The logistics framework also dictates the availability of over 1,200 trucks dedicated to grain transit, alongside the preparation of more than 900 harvester operators. This is being coordinated with the vocational training sector to maximize the efficiency of harvesting operations.
Additionally, 307 localized storage points for grain have been positioned to boost collection thresholds, minimize post-harvest waste, and streamline agrarian logistics.
Within the same operational scope, Agrodrive has already deployed mobile engineering squads tasked with direct field interventions. Their objective centers on providing machinery servicing and securing uninterrupted operations throughout the entirety of the harvest window.