With the formalization of the framework agreement for the concession of 36,000 ha, in the presence of the Algerian and Italian Ministers of Agriculture, the BF Group’s international project comes to life. The first sowing is scheduled for November 2024.
The formalization ceremony of the agreement between BF International Best Fields Best Food took place today at the Abdelatif Rahal International Congress Center, in the presence of the Algerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Youcef Chorfa, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests Francesco Lollobrigida, the Algerian Minister of Finance Laaziz Fayed, the Algerian Minister of Energy and Mining Mohamed Arkab, the Algerian Minister of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production Ali Aoun, the Algerian Minister of Hydraulics Taha Derbal, the President of the Wilaya Region of Timimoun Souna Benamar together with the parliamentarians elected in the Timimoun region, the Director of the Algerian National Investment Fund (FNI) Kemal Mansouri, the Director General of the Algerian Agency for Investment Promotion (AAPI) Omar Rekkache and the CEO of BF Spa Federico Vecchioni. Ltd, a company controlled by BFSpA, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Algeria and the Agricultural Investment Fund represented by Director General Souad Assaous.
The initiative, which to date represents the most important Italian investment in a high-tech regenerative agriculture project in the southern Mediterranean, provides for a concession of 36,000 hectares in the Wilaya of Timimoun from 2024 and, in several phases, in the Wilaya region of Timimoun, in the locality (Timimoun Elkabir 01) in the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
The plan involves the creation of an integrated supply chain for seeds and finished products, fully developed and managed by BF Spa together with some of its shareholders/industrial partners and with the collaboration of important local institutions, such as the Algerian National Investment Fund.
Specifically, when fully operational (2028), the initiative envisages the cultivation of cereals – durum wheat and soft wheat – (around 70% of the surface area) and the remaining part dedicated to legumes – lentils, beans, etc. The production will be destined for the local market.
The partners/shareholders of BF Spa involved in the initiative will be: SIS – Società Italia Sementi SpA (a company controlled by BFSpA) for the supply of seeds, the Italian Agricultural Consortiums for the supply of new and modern agricultural vehicles, Irritec SpA in partnership for the development of a modern and sustainable irrigation system, the company Ocrim SpA for the construction of processing plants, the Giorgio Tesi Group for nursery activities, the company Farchioni Olii, Diagrama for digitalization, Acea for technologies related to the water source, Biosyntex and the Salvi Group.
The first interventions for 2024 involve the construction of wells, essential for the creation of a modern drip irrigation system (essential for optimising use and adapting agricultural activity to the climate changes affecting Algeria, one of the countries most affected by rising temperatures) and the start of the first phase of agricultural activities with the sowing of cereals on the first 3,000 hectares, out of the total of 36,000 granted, starting next November 2024.
“For BF International, the Algeria project represents the most important example of the Group’s ability to replicate the vision and implementation of the BF Model and of high-tech agricultural projects (Agritech) and environmental sustainability for the valorisation of land and food supply chains. A project resulting from BF’s organisational capacity and a historic relationship between Italy and Algeria, demonstrated today by the presence of representatives of the two governments in the figures of Algerian ministers Youcef Chorfa and Laaziz Fayed and Italian minister Francesco Lollobrigida, and by the presence of the Diplomatic Counsellor to the Presidency of the Council and Coordinator of the Mattei Plan for Africa, Fabrizio Saggio. An excellent start to a leadership role for Italy and for BF Spa,” declared Federico Vecchioni, CEO of BF Spa.
Within the “on-the-ground” investments, the BF International project in Algeria also includes a series of actions and training programs for current and future Algerian professionals that will see BF Educational srl (a subsidiary of BFSpA) involved with the aim of improving scientific education applied to agriculture and agribusiness through the development of projects in collaboration with important Algerian research organizations and academic institutions.
BF Educacional will also benefit from all the Group’s industrial partners, as well as professionals and researchers from the Consorzi Agrari d’Italia SpA network, the academies and research centers that are part of its network and the experiences of Coldiretti’s young entrepreneurs.
Source: IL Tempo
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
