The province of El Tarf has been undergoing an enriching experience in recent years, thanks to the development of investments in aquaculture integrated with agriculture. This new sector has yielded very encouraging results in terms of aquaculture and agricultural production.
This is being achieved through the efforts of the local Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, which is signing agreements and conducting awareness campaigns to encourage investment in this field, according to statements made to APS by its director, Amar Zouaoui El Ayeche. He further added that efforts are also targeting citizens to persuade them to consume freshwater fish produced by this activity due to its nutritional qualities and affordable price.
Currently, El Tarf province counts 600 farmers who have undergone specialized training in aquaculture integrated with agriculture. This training is provided by experts from two institutions located in the town of El Kala: the Technical Training School for Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Vocational Training Center, as well as the Specialized Institute for Vocational Training in the municipality of Bouhadjar.
This training program is part of the plan outlined by the supervising ministry, with the primary objective of promoting this activity, which has very beneficial effects. It not only facilitates the production of red tilapia, a fish perfectly suited to this environment, but also creates employment opportunities and meets market demands. It is also known that the water used for breeding red tilapia, which is also used for irrigation, is rich in organic matter, ensuring increased productivity.
In this regard, the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture of El Tarf province has conducted pilot experiments with 13 farmers, all of which have been highly successful.
Regarding the production capacity of this sector in terms of freshwater fish, estimates provided by the sector’s head range between 20 and 35 tons per year, which is a considerable quantity. « Scientific experiments have shown that practicing aquaculture in irrigation basins improves the production capacities of many agricultural sectors and increases their productivity by 20%, » stated Chemseddine Mokdiche, head of agricultural extension services at the Directorate of Agricultural Services (DSA).
Mokdiche reiterated the benefits of using organic-rich irrigation water for agricultural growth across several sectors. These benefits have been clearly demonstrated in farms located in the municipalities of Ben M’hidi, Besbes, and Drean.
Significant coordination efforts are underway between agricultural services, fisheries and aquaculture services, vocational training institutions, the Fisheries Chamber, and the Chamber of Agriculture to provide solid training to farmers and support them in their investments. Saci Abadlia, president of the Chamber of Agriculture of El Tarf province, commended the state’s efforts in providing valuable technical support through agricultural extension services, particularly in aquaculture.
He also praised the intensification of training and support for aquaculturists, citing the experiences of farmers who have significantly increased their yields and improved the quality of their products through integrated aquaculture practices. One such farmer, Nabil Zouidi, who practices integrated aquaculture in the municipality of Ben M’hidi, west of the province, irrigates his citrus plantations with water from fish breeding ponds. He stated to APS that his yields have improved and the quality of his products has significantly increased.
Other investors who have specialized in this sector for years assert that the results achieved encourage them to expand their activities if they find the necessary means and assistance. This would enable them to provide organic products and eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers in their operations.
