Embedded Markov chain (EMC) has long history in geological domains, particularly to define the most representative sequences from statigraphic logs. In other words, what is viewed as a meaningless and disordered stratigraphic layer stack can be reorganized in a meaningful sequence by using EMC. This method was transposed in this paper to obtain soil sequences from data retrieved from soil map made by authors, covering a part of the region of Traras (N.W. of Algeria) and containing 13 major soil types. Each major soil type occupies at least one polygon in the map and allow to establish soil adjacencies, which have been tabulated in a matrix regardless to the direction. Three EMC methods have been tested, Walker, Harper and Türk using Strati-signal software and to erect soil relationship diagrams (SRD) representing the most significant links between soils. Significant test is the main difference between the above mentioned three EMC methods. It has been shown that Harper method is quite insensitive to small number of transitions. Besides, all three methods agreed for one soil sequence made by four soils: lithics leptosols-cambisols chormics-cambisols calcarics-fluvisols representing theoretical catena the most representative to the study area. This soil sequence is relevant to the study region and even to the whole Mediterranean region, and is commanded by the topography and the Mediterranean bioclimate. Walker SRD is the most realistic but the most difficult to interpret because of the high number of soil links, Harper SRD gives interesting results. Although the results didn't bring something new to the soil interpretation and soil pedogensis but EMC applied to a finer scale may highlights other hidden relationships between soils.

The technical and financial assistance plays a fundamental role in agriculture in order to maintain its durability especially in disadvantaged regions. For this purpose, the present work aims to evaluate the technical and financial assistance according to the opinions of farms in some mountainous areas belonging to the mountains of Tlemcen wihch are situated in the northwestern Algeria. The results obtained showed that to improve the relation between bank and farms, public financial institutions should review the conditions for bank credits granting according to sociological particularity of the Algerian population who is very attached to the instructions of Islam religion which prohibits interest rates generated by bank credits. In addition, strengthening these mountainous areas by qualified technical personnel is a necessary operation to improving the knowledge and the know-how of farmers which are very insufficient in these areas.

The present work aims to analyze the expectations of farms concerning the Proximity Projects of Integrated Rural Development (PPDRI) which could be implemented by the Algerian government in rural areas in general, and in mountainous areas in particular. For that, 122 farms have been surveyed in three mountainous regions (Ain Fezza, El Gor and Sidi Djilali) belonging to the mountains of Tlemcen which are north-west of Algeria. The results obtained showed that expectations of farms, in terms of individual projects desired to be made, differ from one region to another. Moreover, the heads of surveyed farms retain a remarkable awareness vis-à-vis agricultural projects that are better suited to the potential of their mountainous areas. In addition, the development of certain high-value agricultural activities which appear despised by many farms and can contribute in a significant way to improve their income sources, requires from the start a considerable improvement of technical assistance proves insufficient in these disadvantaged areas. Finally, public authorities should know good value the projects formulated by farms, and readjust its funding according to the particularities of these areas which are poor and characterised by difficult natural constraints. ResumoO presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar as expectativas de fazendas sobre os Projectos de Proximidade de Desenvolvimento Rural Integrado (PPDRI) que poderia ser implementado pelo governo argelino em áreas rurais em geral, e em áreas montanhosas, em particular. Para isso, 122 fazendas foram pesquisados em três regiões montanhosas (Ain Fezza, El Gor e Sidi Djilali) pertencentes às montanhas de Tlemcen que são noroeste da Argélia. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as expectativas de fazendas, em termos de projectos individuais desejadas para ser feita, diferem de uma região para outra. Além disso, os chefes de fazendas pesquisadas manter uma consciência notável vis-à-vis projectos agrícolas que são mais adequadas para o potencial de suas áreas montanhosas. Além disso, o desenvolvimento de certas actividades agrícolas de alto valor que parecem desprezados por muitas fazendas e podem contribuir de forma significativa para melhorar as suas fontes de renda, exige desde o início uma melhoria considerável da assistência técnica se revelar insuficiente nestas áreas desfavorecidas. Finalmente, as autoridades públicas devem saber bom valor os projetos formulados por fazendas, e reajustar o seu financiamento de acordo com as particularidades dessas áreas que são pobres e caracterizada por constrangimentos naturais difíceis.Palavras-chave: atividades agrícolas, condicionalismos naturais, áreas rurais, levantamentos