In the M’Zi Valley, specifically in the Laghouat province of Algeria, thePAOMA project (Program for the Preservation and Economic Development of Oasis Agrobiodiversity), funded by AFD and Région Occitanie,, is working to address a key challenge for Saharan agriculture: sustainable production in a context of water scarcity and climate change, while promoting local knowledge and resources.
Implemented by CARI in partnership with the Algerian association El Argoub, PAOMA aims to improve the resilience of oasis agrosystems by drawing on local agrobiodiversity, particularly the traditional varieties still cultivated by some farmers. The project thus combines knowledge production, agricultural experimentation, capacity building, and collective dynamics around seeds, with a particular focus on women and young people.
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTATION IN THE SERVICE OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE
Among the project’s key activities, agricultural experimentation on winter cereals currently occupies a strategic place. In the M’Zi Valley, cereals—wheat and barley in particular—play an essential role in agricultural systems, but are severely constrained by water shortages, the main factor limiting yields. However, many local varieties, which have been gradually abandoned in favor of commercial seeds, are renowned for their hardiness and ability to adapt to arid conditions.
The aim of these experiments is twofold: to produce solid scientific references on the behavior of these local varieties, and to provide concrete decision-making support to farmers in order to secure their varietal choices and irrigation strategies.
Conducted in close collaboration with researchers from the National Institute for Agricultural Research of Algeria (INRAA), these experiments aim in particular to:
- evaluate the efficiency of water use of local varieties compared to commercial varieties;
- test their tolerance to water stress;
- analyze agronomic and economic performance under different irrigation regimes;
- better understand the influence of local soil and climate conditions on crop behavior.
TESTING RESILIENCE TO WATER SCARCITY
To meet these objectives, a rigorous experimental setup has been established at three representative sites in the M’Zi valley. The trials focus on several wheat varieties—including three local varieties identified through surveys of farmers (Marouani, El Bidi, Guemgou Rakhma)—compared to widely available commercial varieties. For barley, a local variety (Arbi barley) is being tested against a commercial reference variety.
The experimental plots are subjected to three contrasting water regimes: reference irrigation, moderate deficit, and severe deficit, in order to simulate different water stress situations. This methodological choice makes it possible to analyze not only the performance of the varieties, but also their ability to maintain acceptable yields with less water—a crucial issue in a region facing increasing pressure on water resources.
The trials are conducted under real field conditions, using practices similar to those of local farmers (sowing densities, number of irrigations, technical itineraries), in order to encourage future adoption of the results.
PRODUCING USEFUL AND SHAREABLE KNOWLEDGE
Beyond the expected agronomic results, these experiments are fully in line with the PAOMA project’s philosophy: combining scientific knowledge and farmers’ knowledge, and bringing research as close as possible to the realities on the ground. The data produced will make it possible to identify the varieties best suited to local conditions, but also to fuel broader reflection on the selection, preservation, and multiplication of local cultivars, with a view to adapting to climate change.
Ultimately, the lessons learned from these trials will inform PAOMA’s training, awareness-raising, and local seed dynamics structuring initiatives. They will also help strengthen the dialogue between farmers, researchers, and institutions on a key issue for the future of oases: producing more with less water, while making the most of local resources.
