ALGIERS – A true national wealth, authentic agricultural products of the soil has successfully established itself in the local market in a context marked by renewed awareness of the importance of organic products from specialists and consumers who s’ agree on the superior quality of these products can easily access international markets.
Professionals and experts approached by PSA claimed that local produce in abundance on farms, pastures and mountain areas, are traditionally made (drying, storage and processing) giving them nutritional characteristics, quality and exceptional tastes that characterize each region of the country.
Hadda, a grandmother Inoughissen in the wilaya of Batna believes that the Algerian heritage for local products was very diverse and needs to be popularized both at home and abroad, to especially since every village, every town and every wilaya offers several products that differ in composition and taste.
She gives the example of thyme that alone has more than 5 species.
Hadda manufactures several varieties of couscous, pasta and bread, mixing it with herbs to give them different flavors.
These products have many uses including therapeutic, like “Aïch El Hashish” (pancake with herbs) to the woman in labor, couscous with thyme and couscous with lavender, very indicated for bowel disorders, or couscous with barley and acorns, the Mzyet couscous and couscous oatmeal.
As many beneficial food for people wishing to avoid high blood sugar and high blood pressure, or pay attention to their line.
In addition to the manufacture of other products used in the manufacture of confectionery, grandmother Hadda, through this inherited wealth family activity, transforms goat milk into cheese, butter and ointments used in processing or manufacturing savory and sweets.
As for Saida, specialized in the processing of herbs and plants in perfumes and oils in the hills of the province of Jijel, she stressed the importance of this local natural heritage which the peculiarity of the region, particularly with regard to the existence of rare aromatic plants and herbs whose therapeutic and cosmetic importance only known to its residents.
She cites, for example, the plant “Al-Maafouna” (Wall Chenopodiastrum), “Amlyllis” (Neprun), Retama and other herbs used in the manufacture of various types of therapeutic salves, soaps and oils stressing the importance of giving more interest in these products, which are mainly related to natural and social heritage of the inhabitants of the region, and to know the youth of today.
For his part, Kamal, activating Mila in the field of production of oils (olive oil, mastic oil, prickly pear oil, pear oil … and others), believes that these products need more attention from specialists to prevent any tampering that could affect their authenticity, given the modernization that affected several agricultural sectors, which may rebound on the peculiarity and characteristics of these natural products.
Prepare local products to compete in international markets
In a statement to APS, the president of the National Association of local products, Sid Ali Lahlou argued for greater recovery and preparation of the Algerian products to compete in the international market, and through their support as an independent specialty, like what happens in many countries, allowing them to promote widely and to provide means of sustainability of their features and benefits, has he said.
He stressed the importance of “labeling” in the establishment of trust between consumer and producer, especially for Local Algerian products to overseas or those imported.
As such, Mr. Lahlou noted that Algeria was full of agricultural produce, which occupy the last years an important place in the national market, like those for confectionery such jam, butter and honey, which are rich in healthy carbohydrates, as well as dried fruits (prunes, apricots, raisins and figs) and oilseeds, any kind confused, in addition to the traditional cheeses, including those made with milk goat, essential oils and herbs, as well as products of dates and olives.
According to the president of the association, the agricultural sector work, through a special committee to determine the list of products that can be labeled according to some health conditions and biological characteristics and geographical data, in order to maintain the specifications of the local product according to its origin, to protect it and give it the value it deserves, especially as it is local products (100% Algerian) that do not require the importation of raw materials abroad or additional loads.
The national committee begins work in collaboration with local associations, the revival of rural areas, who knows an agricultural variety produced by the inhabitants of each region, in a family setting, which allows the creation of posts of jobs and wealth, and settlement of populations in their areas of origin, he continued.
Translated by Hope from APS.
