As part of a qualitative approach to strengthen economic diversification, Mr. Kamel Baddari, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Mr. Youcef Cherfa, the minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, oversaw, on Monday 01 September 2025, at the National Higher School of agronomy, the launch of the national strategy for the development of saffron cultivation and production in Algeria. This initiative aims to create the magic square including: applied scientific research, modern agriculture, processing industry, and international marketing.  

On this occasion, Mr. Baddari confirmed that this strategy “represents one of the clauses in of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s programme, which focuses on a diverse agriculture based on optimising the outcomes of scientific research that hold a significant value for the economy and society.” He then announced the launch of the saffron planting of the campaign, highlighting the product’s high social and economic value.

 He added that this strategy has four main objectives: “enhancing the outcomes of agricultural research and improving the production and the productivity; developing new seed varieties; advancing the processing industries of saffron products; and adding value to the national economy through local, regional, continental and international marketing of this strategic product. He also praised the efforts of the officials and the researchers in the higher education and scientific research, and agriculture sectors, as well as the results they have achieved in this regard.” 

He added that the goal of “achieving an Algerian brand for saffron that could conquer markets and strengthen the economic standing of the Algerian state,” will see the light by valuing the research outcomes in the field of agriculture and applying them in collaboration and integration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries.     

For his part, Mr. Cherfa explained that this initiative is “the first step in the process of revitalising this valuable branch, and praised the efforts of all those who contributed to the development of this national strategy, in conformity with the instructions of the country’s high authorities,” who attach great importance to this agriculture a by mobilising all the necessary resources to support and promote it.

He also praised “the remarkable work of the research and training institutions under supervision, particularly the National Forest Research Institute, which played a key role in revitalising the sector by establishing its own approach, and conducting experiences on the adaptability of this agriculture to the different climates in our country. Furthermore, he praised dozens of producers from all over the country were trained, and the producers who embraced the challenge and helped to finance and promote this agriculture.”   

 At the same event, a cooperation agreement was signed between the higher education and scientific research sector, represented by the National Higher School of Agronomy, and the Scientific and Technical research Centre on Arid Regions, and The National Centre for Seed and Seedling Control and Certification. the agreement aims to certify the technical process of saffron cultivation, enabling production and export, while also ensuring training is provided.

In the same context, the two ministers visited the central farm of the National Higher School of Agronomy, where they were given presentations on the key stages of saffron cultivation. They also oversaw the initiation of planting bulbs and seedlings of this product.