A functional-structural approach to analyzing agricultural innovation systems in the dairy milk sector of the region of Ghardaïa - Algerian Northern Sahara

Abstract

In recent years, despite its hostile environment and harsh climate, the wilaya of Ghardaïa has emerged as a leader in dairy production in southern Algeria. This article sought to analyze how the innovation system in the dairy sector has, positively or negatively, influenced the development of the sector in this region and identify the socio-economic factors and institutions that have contributed to it. To do so, a functional-structural approach was taken. The data used were collected from semi-directive interviews and focus groups with different stakeholders involved in the dairy milk sector. Market restructuring, but also the collective organization, which is very common in the region, were found to be the main factors positively affecting the dairy sector. In addition, lobbying by the dairies and the asymmetry of power between dairy farmers and agri-food industrialists, a lack of collaboration and interaction between actors, a lack of coordination in knowledge development, and a lack of formal financing mechanisms to invest in livestock, turned out to be the factors hindering the innovation system. Finally, although the dairy sector in Ghardaïa attracts investors from the North of Algeria, and is thus a pronounced success in economic and organizational terms, the question of its sustainability is not being considered in these southern territories.

Making sense of on-going dynamics and innovations in oases and newly irrigated areas of North African arid regions: towards more sustainable development pathways

“…This model allows the manufacturers to secure intellectual property and maintain a monopoly. Oulmane et al (2022) analyse how the innovation system has influenced the development of the diary sector in Ghardaïa Region, Algeria. Market restructuring and farmers' organisations are the main factors which have a positive influence on the dairy sector.…”

“…irrigation pivots in Algeria. However, these innovation systems are not impervious to power imbalances, for instance milk prices in Ghardaïa Region (Oulmane et al, 2022) or the diffusion of know-how to manufacture irrigation pivots in Algeria (Ould Rebai et al, 2022). Some of these innovations could be components of pathways to-wards more sustainable agricultural development; for instance this could be the case of artificial water recharge systems in Ghardaïa Region, provided their implementation is part of a broad catchment level approach (Saidani et al, 2022).…”

Assessing technical efficiency and its determinants for dairy cattle farms in northern Algeria: The two-step DEA-Tobit approach

“…However, the collapse of oil prices during the late 1980s triggered adjustment plans to support national production for this traditional product. Indeed, in this perspective of reducing import bills, the Algerian authorities have invested considerable financial resources over the past decades reflected on a series of upgrade policies to restructure the dairy sector with an objective of reducing the country's dependency on milk imports (Bellil and Boukrif, 2021;Meklati et al, 2020;Oulmane et al, 2022).…”

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“…However, the collapse of oil prices during the late 1980s triggered adjustment plans to support national production for this traditional product. Indeed, in this perspective of reducing import bills, the Algerian authorities have invested considerable financial resources over the past decades reflected on a series of upgrade policies to restructure the dairy sector with an objective of reducing the country's dependency on milk imports (Bellil and Boukrif, 2021;Meklati et al, 2020;Oulmane et al, 2022).…”