Algeria launches diaspora scientist network for livestock, minister says

The Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Agriculture launched a high-level scientific network for animal production and health in Algiers on Tuesday, with Algerian scientists living abroad taking part.

TSA reported that the network is the first concrete project to involve scientists from the Algerian diaspora. It was created at the initiative of the two ministries and the High Council of Algerian Scientists Abroad, a body recently created by decision of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Kamel Badari, minister of higher education, said the network would strengthen collaboration between universities, research centres and the farming sector.

"The aim is to develop innovative scientific and technological solutions that meet the real needs on the ground and help improve the yield, health and productivity of livestock," Badari said.

The partners agreed to set priorities for research on animal production. They also agreed to start applied research projects and to transfer technology to develop farming methods.

The partners also agreed to strengthen disease prevention and control. Scientists abroad will be called on to share their expertise, in coordination with the High Council, on research projects with an economic and development impact.

The network is expected to make important recommendations. These include a new sheep line from a genetic cross between the Ouled Djellal and Daman breeds. The recommendations also include three types of innovative livestock feed.

Ouled Djellal is Algeria's most important sheep breed. It is native to the country and found mainly in the centre and east, up to the Tunisian border. It is valued for the quality of its meat and for its productivity, shown by the animal's weight.

Daman is less widespread and is found mainly in the oases of the south-west. It is smaller in size, but a ewe gives birth to two to four lambs per litter, which makes it very prolific.

The two breeds are the basis of the expected new sheep line. Their traits link directly to the network's goal of raising livestock yield and productivity. The sources do not say when the new line or the feed would be available to breeders.

Badari said the work would produce concrete results within six months at most.