Food Agroecology

The Food Agroecology Research Division is dedicated to studying agricultural ecosystems and their environmental interactions, with the aim of optimizing food production and availability. It seeks to develop innovative approaches for sustainably valorizing plant and animal productions while preserving natural resources and Algerian culinary heritage. The Division is committed to developing technological solutions and agroecological practices to optimize resource management, reduce waste and losses during food production, transformation, and distribution processes, and enhance the resilience of agri-food systems against environmental challenges.

Research topics

This mission aims to transform residues and by-products of the agri-food industry into new ingredients or products, reintroducing them to the market. It encompasses the reuse and recycling of animal or vegetable waste into reusable materials. Each valorization process contributes to saving raw materials and preserving the environment, embodying the principle that waste is a resource to be exploited rather than a waste to be eliminated.

The Division is dedicated to the valorization and preservation of the rich Algerian agri-food heritage. Its work focuses on terroir products, reflecting the geographical and cultural specificities of regions. It studies traditional production and transformation processes and develops methods for analyzing the sensory profiles of these products. The objective is to contribute to the labeling and commercial promotion of Algerian food products, thereby strengthening their economic and cultural value.
These regional and seasonal foodstuffs, such as vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, are recognized for their freshness, unique taste, and health benefits, as they are generally cultivated locally with little to no pesticides. A major challenge is to facilitate the access of these terroir products to national and international markets to encourage local production and reduce import dependency.

This mission encourages innovation in developing typical new food products. The Division emphasizes creating innovative food products that combine tradition and modernity, drawing on the wealth of Algerian terroir. It explores new food transformation and formulation techniques while ensuring the preservation of nutritional and organoleptic product qualities.

The Division conducts research on the effects of climate change on Algerian agri-food systems, including rising temperatures, floods, storms, and fires. These phenomena are identified by the FAO as major causes of global food insecurity. Using predictive models and systemic approaches, the Division analyzes the climate’s impact on agricultural production and food chain stability. Facing these challenges, it develops innovative adaptation strategies to stabilize food production. These solutions aim to preserve natural resources and the environment while improving agricultural system resilience. The objective is to ensure sustainable food security despite climate change effects.

The Division develops methods to better manage agricultural resources and reduce food losses. This includes improving food storage, transformation, and distribution techniques. It also works on innovative packaging solutions and conservation technologies to extend food product shelf life.