Algeria sets course for the cultivation of sunflowers. The objective is to produce its own table oil and reduce its dependence vis-à-vis foreign oilseeds.
In this interview, Mohamed Haroun, a farmer in the region of Constantine and member of the Confederation of Algerian Industrialists and Producers (CIPA) indicates the expectations of farms and gives his opinion on this program.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hamid Bensaâd, announced on Sunday March 5 the launch of the sunflower cultivation program in Algeria.
A program whose stated objective is to reduce the import bill and achieve self-sufficiency in table oil. In many wilayas, awareness meetings for farmers are currently being conducted.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced on Sunday March 5 the launch of sunflower cultivation in Algeria. Which areas and which regions of the country are concerned?
The area planned for the cultivation of sunflower in Algeria is 45,000 hectares, including 30,000 in the south of the country.
Sunflower cultivation is new in Algeria. Where will the seeds come from and how will the farmers be supplied?
The seed will be imported by two economic operators and distributed through the network of Cereal and Pulse Marketing Cooperatives (CCLS).
What level of performance can we expect and what are the characteristics of the technical route. Are there any particular difficulties for the cultivation of sunflower in Algeria?
Depending on the quality of the technical itinerary followed by the farmer, we can expect a yield of 20 quintals/hectare in the north of the country and 35 quintals of sunflower in the south.
For the sunflower, the technical itinerary is very simple, but there is still the risk of the scourge of damage caused by birds (sparrows) which greatly appreciate its seeds.
Does growing sunflower require special sowing and harvesting equipment?
Indeed, specific equipment is necessary for sowing sunflower.
On average, seeds should be spaced 20 to 30 cm apart in the row and 60 cm between rows. For this, it is preferable to have a mono-grain seeder as for the cultivation of corn.
As for the sunflower harvest, a combine harvester can be used as for cereals, but it is a question of adapting the machine’s cutting head.
What will be the sunflower prices for Algerian farmers and operators?
The delivery price is 8,500 DA/quintal to which must be added state support of 3,000 DA/quintal or 3,500 DA when the farmer is affiliated to a cooperative. The collector, that is to say the CCLS, will receive 200 DA/quintal. As for the processor, he will receive 500 DA/quintal.
Who will collect the harvest and who will crush the sunflower in Algeria?
The collection will be carried out by the CCLS. As for crushing, for the moment, only the Cevital group will buy the production.
A word on the current rapeseed program?
Rapeseed is the best alternative as a crop rotation. It has good oil quality and several agronomic advantages.
In our opinion, rapeseed has more of a future.
Just look at the experience of our Tunisian neighbors who have abandoned oil sunflowers for large-seeded sunflowers. A type that represents 90% of the sunflower surfaces produced in Tunisia. A sunflower that is intended “for appetizers”.
