Abstract:
The commune of Aïn El Ibel exemplifies a complex case of agricultural development challenges in
Algerian steppe regions. Natural resource fragility and the limited effectiveness of public policies
are among the major constraints. The territory is largely dominated by rangelands and forests, while
arable land suffers from declining productivity due to weak investment and poor water resource
management. The analysis of crop production reveals uneven dynamics across agricultural
subsectors, with cereals performing relatively well, while vegetable and fruit tree production has
significantly declined, reflecting the absence of integrated planning. The livestock sector is marked
by instability and a lack of processing infrastructure, despite relatively positive indicators in meat
and milk output. Marketing channels also suffer from structural inefficiencies, limiting added value.
These realities highlight the need for a participatory approach to agricultural planning that integrates
strategic planning, resource valorization, production diversification, and smart agriculture, in order
to achieve a structural transformation towards competitive and sustainable farming.
