Annual report CIMMYT - Algeria 1971-1972

Abstract

A Cereal Research and Introduction Project was established during the summer 1971 between the Algerian Ministry of Agriculture and CIMMYT; The CIMMYT program in Algeria is supported by the Ford Foundation. Other coopernting agencies are F.A.O. and C.C.C.E. (French Central Economic Agency of Cooperation) directing extension demostrations, fertilizer distribution end pilot studies respectively. The breeding program is directly connected to I.N.R.A.A. (National Institute of Agricultural Research for Algeria) at 7 central and branch stations throughout the cereal growing regions of northern Algeria. CIMMYT production research during 1971 was divided into two large regions of east and west. The country will be divided into three production regions (eastern, central and western) during the 1972-73 senson with centers in Constantine, Algiers and Oran. The Government of Algeria had imported sufficient seed of Mexican varieties during 1969-70 and 1970-71 to plant 5,100 and 148,000 hectares respectively. Based on the success of the introduced varieties, Inia, Siete Cerros and Tobari, Algeria seeded more than 320, 000 hectares of high yielding varieties during 1971-72. All but a few percent of this surface consisted of the three Mexican varieties and Strampolli,a promising Italian bread wheat. The projected total surfece for 1972-73 seeson is more than 600,000 hectares. Included in this total are 86, 000 hectares of the Mexican durum variety Jeri 69 and 3,000 hectares of two Italian durum varieties Capoiti and Montanari. Results of the 1971-72 season wore very satisfsctory throughout the country owinf to favorable climatic conditions, availibility of fertilizer and goo support by the local government.