Evaluation économique et valorisation des modes de production des principaux fourrages et perspectives d’aménagement pastoral en Steppe Centrale.

Abstract

Agriculture remains a vital driver of national development, with forage crops playing a key role in livestock farming by ensuring adequate animal nutrition. In Algeria, the steppe, which spans nearly 30 million hectares, suffers from low forage production due to recurrent droughts and poor land management. Unregulated land exploitation and overgrazing exacerbate desertification, while the disruption of traditional management systems has weakened the ecosystem. The introduction of barley as a supplementary feed has further degraded soils, increasing dependency on imports to compensate for forage deficits. The High Commission for Steppe Development has launched a pastoral management project aimed at restoring ecological balance and improving forage productivity. Among the proposed solutions, the establishment of deferred grazing has proven to be a cost-effective and efficient measure, allowing for temporary pasture regeneration by reducing grazing pressure. Additionally, the introduction of drought-resistant species, such as Atriplex and Opuntia, helps combat soil erosion and increases forage resources. This study assesses the impact of these measures in the Central Steppe through a survey of 240 agro-pastoralists and an institutional analysis. It examines three approaches to forage production intensification: barley cultivation, deferred grazing, and pastoral plantations, with barley serving as the reference system. The analysis, covering the period from 1994 to 2023, highlights a significant increase in forage production, improved living conditions for local populations, and job creation, while reducing vulnerability to climate variability. Economic findings confirm the profitability and financial viability of the rehabilitated areas. The of deferred grazing, pastoral plantation, and barley cultivation emerges as a key strategy for ecosystem restoration. However, the success of these initiatives depends on sustainable management and improved coordination among stakeholders. This study underscores the importance of an integrated approach to ensuring the long-term viability of agro-pastoral systems and strengthening food security.