Water resources and food security in Algeria: Diagnosis and new strategy proposition

Algeria as an important North African and Mediterranean country with remarkable bioclimatic, edaphic, and political characteristics is under many sorts of negative stress affecting considerably alimentary dependence. Today, Algerian agriculture presents a worrying record. Several warning signs show that the sector is only surviving thanks to massive imports of milk, grains, seeds and chemical fertilizers. The current agricultural model is overtaken by dependence on foreign markets and recourse to costly public subsidies which come exclusively from revenues derived from hydrocarbon exports. Indeed, Algeria is located in region characterized by high water deficit and, poor hydraulic potential, affecting considerably the economy and food security. This situation is more due to mismanagement than an inability to produce enough and healthy food for all Algerians. The current governance is totally inappropriate. The solution mainly involves training, research and technology transfer. In the present perspective paper, we identify with real statistics, organizational, structural, technical, and ecological deficiency causing the suicidal alimentary dependence with alarming repercussion on health and economy. A series of items are proposed to be adopted in order to enable food security in view of available and mobilizable natural resources.