(Ecofin Agency) - In the western part of Algeria, agricultural lands have been taken over by urbanization, denounced last Tuesday the general secretary of the Algerian Famers Union (UNPA), Mohamed Alioui.

“60% of fertile agricultural lands in the region were devasted for ubanization purpose,” said the leader at a meeting with members of local office of Blida’s farmers union.

Calling farmers to defend their properties, he urged authorities to take appropriate measures to support farmers. These include mainly lease agreements. “In the absence of lease contracts, it is not possible to revive the sector as banks ask of the document before providing loans of any sort,” declared Alioui.

Presently, there are more than 39,000 farmers waiting to get the document.

Souha Touré