2023-05-18 20:00:00
ALGIERS – Algeria has more than 170 varieties of cereal seeds certified by the National Center for the Control and Certification of Seeds and Plants (CNCC), an official of the Technical Institute for Field Crops (ITGC) said Thursday in Algiers. .
“We have more than 170 varieties of seeds between durum wheat, common wheat, barley and oats, produced locally and certified by the CNCC”, said Omar Kherif, director of the Demonstration and Seed Production Farm (FDPS) reporting to from the ITG.
Speaking at an open day on farm activities in the development and production of cereal seeds, organized by the technical institute within the FDPS in Oued Smar (Algiers), Mr. Kherif held It should be recalled that Algeria has not been importing cereal seeds for more than 30 years thanks to these varieties saved and developed over the years by the FDPS in partnership with the various research laboratories.
“The preservation of old varieties has always been at the heart of our business, but we are also working to develop varieties that are better adapted to climatic conditions, more tolerant to different diseases and with substantial yields per hectare”, he said. underline.
He explained that the production of new varieties was done through the crossing of seeds that have a high yield potential with seeds resistant to agricultural pests, which made it possible to have more profitable and more resilient seeds at the same time.
“It’s a long-term job, because it takes at least 12 years to obtain new varieties,” he said, adding that these seeds are tested before their approval by the CNCC.
Stressing the interest for Algeria to produce its own seeds, this agronomist considered that the preservation and development of the plant heritage of this strategic sector was “essential” to ensure the country’s sustainable food security and reduce its cereal imports, in particular in wheat, which still tops the country’s food imports.
For her part, the head of the institute, Karima Bouchard, announced a program for the development of triticale at this farm, a cereal produced from a cross between wheat and rye.
Triticale is intended in particular for animal feed (sheep and poultry), she indicated, emphasizing the advantages of this plant which, in addition to its nutritional value, develops resistance to disease and water stress.
The local production of this plant would reduce, according to her, the national import bill for corn and soy used for livestock feed.
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