“Food Supply, Agronomic Factors and Environmental Indicators in Central Maghreb countries

Abstract

Food supply in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia depends on food imports, and they show a negative balance in trade. These three countries are net importers of biomass, energy, protein and virtual water. We can note a dual agricultural structure: high yield export-oriented vegetable and fruit farming systems and low yield inner-consumption-oriented cereal farming systems. Yield is the main agronomic factor that explains cereal production, although cultivated area should be also a limiting factor. Input use is low in Central Maghreb countries and this low technological level limits yields, although it may be partially compensated by the high productivity of human labor.