(Ecofin Agency) - Being a key component of Algeria’s State domains, agricultural lands must in no event be sold, but can be transferred to third parties as concessions. This is the belief of the National Union of Algerian Farmers (UNPA) whose secretary general, Mohamed Alioui, told Algérie Presse Service that arable lands are a “red line” that must be guarded against “abuses”.

The union official who was expressing himself last Sunday, October 15, on the sidelines of the first edition of the rural women fair in Blida, said that the State should indeed better protect agricultural lands. “Agricultural lands belong to the State and cannot be sold, but only used through concessions; they must be preserved against multiple violations related to constructions (concrete). Their concession takes place in a constitutional framework, and if their use happens to be challenging for any reason, they must serve for other agricultural activities (nurseries, cold rooms, etc.),” he said.   

“Mr. Alioui has informed in this regard, that the minister of Justice has instructed attorneys to initiate legal procedures against all using the lands for non-agricultural purposes,” the Algerian press agency said.