244
M. Hadeid et al.
4 Forms of Social Adaptation to Government
Disengagement
Oasis society naturally tries to address its own unsatisfied needs. The cases studied
predominantly concern water and agriculture. For example, oasis agriculture in
southwest Algeria has developed indigenous responses to overcoming an environment hostile to settlement, supplying water to both the oasis populations and the
caravanners who cross the Sahara (Côte 2002). Traditional economic frameworks
change over time as non-agricultural activities are introduced, leading to a diversification in employment and a corresponding decrease in dependence on oasis agriculture, which is based on a marked social stratification. Indeed, by introducing
other types of employment, particularly in the tertiary and even secondary sectors
(south-eastern Algeria and, recently, southwestern Algeria), the independent state
has severely disrupted this traditional agriculture. As a result of the disruption of the
social stratification established over centuries, agriculture has lost significant ground
to other introduced activities. State policy based on agricultural development has
been in place since 1983 in the arid and semi-arid regions (Steppe and Sahara) in
order to replace traditional agriculture that operates in difficult (scarce labor, dried
foggaras, etc.) and less profitable environments. This directly affects cereal production, negating previous social and feudal organization. Despite generous government
subsidies, government policy has not achieved its objectives. Recent years have been
marked by a gradual disengagement of the State, leaving new agricultural dynamics
to emerge in both the modern and traditional agricultural sectors.
5 Relaunch Traditional Oasis Agriculture and Revitalize
Modern Agriculture
The withdrawal of the State has left a void filled predominantly by farmers from
the Sétif
5 region, who have started growing market gardening products, especially
cucumbers, used in the manufacture of cosmetic products in the center of the country
(Algiers, Blida). This activity has filled a market gap, particularly in the south-eastern
Ziban region, taking advantage of the relatively conducive growing conditions there
during the cold winter period in the north (Table 1). Moreover, these cucumbers
transport and weigh well. By renting land from indigenous farmers, who themselves
have been less enthusiastic about farming after the decline in State subsidies, the Sétif
people have been able to institutionalize greenhouse cultivation in the Aougrout
6
region, known for its soil and water potential, in few years.
5 Located 270 km east of Algiers, this important city in eastern Algeria is home to more than 300.000
inhabitants.
6 Large commune of the Gourara region between Adrar and Timimoun.
M. Hadeid et al.
4 Forms of Social Adaptation to Government
Disengagement
Oasis society naturally tries to address its own unsatisfied needs. The cases studied
predominantly concern water and agriculture. For example, oasis agriculture in
southwest Algeria has developed indigenous responses to overcoming an environment hostile to settlement, supplying water to both the oasis populations and the
caravanners who cross the Sahara (Côte 2002). Traditional economic frameworks
change over time as non-agricultural activities are introduced, leading to a diversification in employment and a corresponding decrease in dependence on oasis agriculture, which is based on a marked social stratification. Indeed, by introducing
other types of employment, particularly in the tertiary and even secondary sectors
(south-eastern Algeria and, recently, southwestern Algeria), the independent state
has severely disrupted this traditional agriculture. As a result of the disruption of the
social stratification established over centuries, agriculture has lost significant ground
to other introduced activities. State policy based on agricultural development has
been in place since 1983 in the arid and semi-arid regions (Steppe and Sahara) in
order to replace traditional agriculture that operates in difficult (scarce labor, dried
foggaras, etc.) and less profitable environments. This directly affects cereal production, negating previous social and feudal organization. Despite generous government
subsidies, government policy has not achieved its objectives. Recent years have been
marked by a gradual disengagement of the State, leaving new agricultural dynamics
to emerge in both the modern and traditional agricultural sectors.
5 Relaunch Traditional Oasis Agriculture and Revitalize
Modern Agriculture
The withdrawal of the State has left a void filled predominantly by farmers from
the Sétif
5 region, who have started growing market gardening products, especially
cucumbers, used in the manufacture of cosmetic products in the center of the country
(Algiers, Blida). This activity has filled a market gap, particularly in the south-eastern
Ziban region, taking advantage of the relatively conducive growing conditions there
during the cold winter period in the north (Table 1). Moreover, these cucumbers
transport and weigh well. By renting land from indigenous farmers, who themselves
have been less enthusiastic about farming after the decline in State subsidies, the Sétif
people have been able to institutionalize greenhouse cultivation in the Aougrout
6
region, known for its soil and water potential, in few years.
5 Located 270 km east of Algiers, this important city in eastern Algeria is home to more than 300.000
inhabitants.
6 Large commune of the Gourara region between Adrar and Timimoun.