The Agricultural Services Directorate in Setif has designated 2090 hectares for the cultivation of dry legumes during the 2026-2027 agricultural season. Officials aim to increase regional production through this land allocation. The initiative focuses on expanding the planting area to support local output targets for the upcoming harvest cycle. This specific target of 2090 hectares for dry legume cultivation represents a structured effort by the Agricultural Services Directorate in Setif to revitalize the sector.
Breakdown of Targeted Crops
Setif Agricultural Directorate officials have allocated the 2090 hectares into specific crop categories to diversify regional output. The cultivation plan designates 1380 hectares for chickpeas, representing the largest portion of the initiative. Farmers will also dedicate 587 hectares to the production of lentils. The land distribution includes 95 hectares reserved for fava beans. The final component of the expansion project involves 28 hectares assigned to the planting of peas. These figures define the full breakdown of the land usage strategy for the 2026-2027 agricultural season, aiming to meet the established production targets for each legume variety across the designated zones. The breakdown of this targeted area—1380 hectares of chickpeas, 587 hectares of lentils, 95 hectares of fava beans, and 28 hectares of peas—forms the core of the directorate’s strategy to ensure a balanced distribution of legumes across the province.
Historical Context and Decline
Chickpeas historically occupied 4500 hectares in the regions of Bir El Arch, El Ouldja, and Ain Abessa during the 1980s and early 1990s. The total area dedicated to dry legumes in Setif has since decreased by more than 60% as a result of climatic factors. This reduction notes the significant shift in land use patterns over the preceding decades. The decline in the area dedicated to dry legumes in Setif by more than 60% due to climatic factors shows the challenges faced by local producers.
Agricultural planning for the 2026-2027 plowing and sowing campaign encompasses a target of 150,000 hectares of land. This campaign includes 100,000 hectares of durum wheat, 15,000 hectares of soft wheat, 31,000 hectares of barley, and 3,000 hectares of oats. The 2026-2027 plowing and sowing campaign targets 150,000 hectares in total, which includes 100,000 hectares of durum wheat, 15,000 hectares of soft wheat, 31,000 hectares of barley, and 3,000 hectares of oats.
The Agricultural Services Directorate has mobilized 4600 tractors to support these operations. Additionally, 10,000 units of various equipment have been prepared for the new agricultural season. These resources are intended to facilitate the successful completion of the sowing phase across the total targeted acreage. By coordinating the deployment of this machinery, the directorate aims to optimize the efficiency of the upcoming agricultural cycle.
