International Journal of Agricultural Science and Research (IJASR) ISSN(P): 2250-0057; ISSN(E): 2321-0087 Vol. 7, Issue 2, Apr 2017, 561-566 TJPRC Pvt. Ltd. OVERVIEW OF FORAGE CROPS IN THE REGION OF GHARDAÏA (NORTHERN ALGERIAN SAHARA) HOCINE BENSAHA 1, RAFIK ARBOUCHE 2 & DOUBANGOLO COULIBALY 3 1 Applied Research Unit on Renewable Energies, URAER, Development Center of Renewable Energies, CDER, Ghardaïa, Algeria 2 GHARDAIA University, Algeria 3 Institut d Economie Rurale, IER, Mali ABSTRACT This Study Focused On An Analysis Of Forage Policies Development In The Saharan Region Of Mzab. It Was Based On A Survey To Define The State Of The Industry Places In Fodder Production And The Causes Of Its Low Adoption. These Speculations Certainly Promising, However The Productions Face Multiple Barriers Hindering Its Development. The Study Recommended Accompanying Measures To Boost Fodder Production. This Is To Be Done Through The Participatory Identification Of Technological Innovations That Could Lead To The Improvements In The Quality And Quantity Of Available Forage In This Region. KEYWORDS: Algeria, Public Policy, Fodder Production, Saharan Region & M zab Valley Received: Feb 13 2017; Accepted: Apr 04, 2017; Published: Apr 12, 2017; Paper Id.: IJASRAPR201771 INTRODUCTION In Algeria the land used for fodder production, nearly 40 million hectares (Mammeri, 2003). The forage potential is structured in four sets of equal importance. It consists of natural grasslands, steppe rangelands, cultivated fodder and forest paths (Senoussi, 2010). Agriculture in the Saharan wilaya, this fundamental features that distinguish it from "conventional agriculture". It is characterized by very difficult production conditions and different vocations of a zone to another, through often isolated culture centers (Chaabena, 2001). The importance of forage crops is largely linked to the role of livestock in the community who practice. Thus, these data demonstrate the extensive nature of forage production in Algeria (Belmiri, 2004) Original Article This study aims to establish the balance of forage production in the Algerian Sahara level in the case Ghardaia. The measures are discussed granted not only to draw up an inventory, but also to give meaning to strong government investment. www.tjprc.org editor@tjprc.org
562 Hocine Bensaha, Rafik Arbouche & Doubangolo Coulibaly MATERIAL AND METHODS Figure 1: Location of the Study Area This study is based on interviews conducted with farmers, agricultural institutions and local authorities. Through the statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture. The area seeded to forages were analyzed over a period of ten years at an Algerian Northern Sahara region; What the Mzab (Figure 1), it is located north of the Grand Erg Oriental and covers an approximate area of 350,000 ha (Saibi, 2003). Through a comprehensive survey of forage crops and their importance give the Saharan populations, this approach has established an inventory, identify constraints and advantages for fodder production and to define the axes practical interventions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Figure 2: Forage Production in the Study Area Impact Factor (JCC): 4.8136 NAAS Rating: 4.13
Overview of Forage Crops in the Region of Ghardaïa (Northern Algerian Sahara) 563 The Saharan zone is one of the difficult areas in which to maintain farms despite all the constraints they face (MADR, 2015). The state, through public policy has played an important role in the dynamics of this region. In semi arid forage are traditionally grown as intercrop with cereal. Eight million ha represent the agricultural area (UAA). It is divided into arable land (93% of UAA) and perennials (7% of UAA). Over 75% of the UAA, rainfall remains a major constraint for the development of fodder crops (Nedjraoui, 2001). Conversely, in a country where water stress is pronounced, with less than 800 m 3 of water per capita per year, and where rainfall is very capricious, the increase in agricultural livestock production necessarily requires maximize water, especially in irrigated areas (Srairi, 2011). These in the study area experienced major changes since their creations, especially in terms of structures and operation of agricultural production systems. Agricultural policies have played a role in these changes, in particular the National Agricultural Development Plan. In addition to these policies, the development of the food industry also strongly influenced farmers' choices (Bensaha, 2009). In Algeria, this dominant agriculture provides several economic and social functions, in addition to its important role in maintaining the rural population to the companion (Laoubi, 2001). This agriculture has always been supported by public policy in Algeria. It should be mentioned the different development of new agricultural land programs in the steppe and Saharan zones by Law No: 83-18 of 13/08/1983 concerning the accession to agricultural land ownership and Decree: 97-483 15/12/1997 on agricultural concession. All these political arrangements favored the creation of farms (MADR, 2015). Through the Interministerial Circular No. 108 of 2011, the government continued awareness on the creation of family farms, while encouraging entrepreneurial farms. The results of ten years (2004-2014) of agricultural development of the Saharan zones (Figure 2) today are generally positive, in terms of area and production. Some Saharan wilayas have become leaders in some agricultural products, including vegetable crops. Dynamics of production of these farms systems reveals their ability to adapt to the different constraints. Bensaha et al (2015) notes that these shortcomings in forage resources are an obstacle to livestock development, which leads to deficiencies in animal production. Algerian farming suffers food constraints which limit not only fodder production at farm level but also the production of concentrated feed for dairy cattle. The milk collection centers in the Ghardaia region, in addition to the existence of the dairies have strongly influenced the production systems in these areas. To this end, the dairy farming has experienced a remarkable development in recent years accompanied by the introduction of fodder crops for feeding of livestock (Bensaha et al, 2012). Despite cultural considerations, the animal is integrated into farms, polyculture system has become an essential part of rural livelihoods. The production system is characterized by the presence of forage crops (alfalfa and sorghum). They are used mainly for livestock feed. The use of purchasing food on the market (its concentrated, hay and straw) is widespread. Investigations by Ghozlane et al. (2003) also found that the food problem worsens during dry periods. This sometimes requires breeders to provide their livestock cattle diets survival. They consist mainly of straw or poor quality hay. The fodder deficit was 58% in coastal areas, 32% in the steppe zone and 29% in Saharan area (Adem et Ferrah, 2002). Gains are first sought at each operator to increase yields and reduce production costs of raw materials on farms (Le Gal et al., 2007). www.tjprc.org editor@tjprc.org
564 Hocine Bensaha, Rafik Arbouche & Doubangolo Coulibaly It was found that most farmers are not trained to meet the challenges they face. They still practice traditional subsistence know. Farmers do not care about the profitability and productivity of their farms. Faced with inadequate supervision, they have mastered less breeding techniques, installation of forage crops, conservation fodder for the dry season. According to Bensaha et al (2012), have better knowledge on forage production is also necessary. This is possible only by conducting experimental trials involving research centers and universities specializing in this area. These actions aim at improving, among others, food with basic rations balanced (legumes and forage grasses), to optimize returns, preservation methods and distribution of different forage species acclimatized. CONCLUSIONS This stems from that production and fodder crop in the Saharan regions remains, in many respects, a marginal. This lack of local feed state is generated by a combination of the conditions and factors that limit food production facing increasing livestock numbers. The key actions to improve the current situation are vocational training, technical support and financing of long-term programs of sustainable development of fodder crops in the Saharan region of Mzab. Farmers offer solid proof that such operations can not only enhance sustainable land Saharan areas, but also be the engine of local economic dynamics, source of improving quality of life and renewal in these territories. REFERENCES 1. Adem R., Ferrah A., (2002). Les ressources fourragères en Algérie: Déficit structurel et disparités régionales, analyse du bilan fourrager pour l'année 2001. http:// gredaal.ifrance.com/gredaal /index.htm. 2. Belmiri, S. (2004). Impact de la valeur alimentaire de la luzerne sur la qualité du lait. Mémoire d Ingénieur d Etat en sciences biologiques. Université de Blida 107p. 3. Bensaha H (2009). Etude de la gestion des périmètres de mise en valeur agricoles : cas de la chebka du M zab, mémoire de magister. UKM Ouargla. Algérie. 132 p. 4. Bensaha, H. mayouf, R. Bensaha, L.(2012). Inventory and development perspective of milk production in saharan area: the case of the Ghardaia region (Algeria). Online J. Anim. Feed. Res., 2(3) : 264-269. 5. Bensaha H, Arbouche F 2015. Conduct of practices of breeding dairy cattle in the Saharan regions, Zootechnical conséquences : case oh Ghardaia region (South of Algeria), IJALS, Volume (8), Issue (1): 67-74 February 2015. 6. Chaabena, A. (2001). Situation des cultures fourragères dans le Sud-Est septentrional du Sahara algérien et caractérisation de quelques variétés introduites et populations sahariennes de luzerne cultivée. Thèse de Magister, INA, Alger. 7. Ghozlane F., Yakhlef H., Yaici S. (2003). Performances de reproduction et de production laitière des bovins laitiers en Algérie. Annales de l'institut National Agronomique - EI-Harrach - Vol.24, N"1 et 2 :55-68. 8. MADR (2015), Le Ministère de l'agriculture et du Développement Rural. RGA rapport général de l'agriculture en Algérie entre janvier 2015 et mai 2003.150p 9. Mammeri N. (2003). Enquête globale sur l utilisation des fourrages dans la région de Blida. Mémoire de Docteur Vétérinaire, Université Saad Dahleb, Blida, 56 p Impact Factor (JCC): 4.8136 NAAS Rating: 4.13
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