Algeria to built first biggest potato laboratory in Africa

Algeria started constructing the biggest potato seeds laboratory in Africa in collaboration with South Korean agricultural experts, the project manager said Wednesday.

• “The laboratory will be built in Tiaret province (west of Algeria) on an area of 650 hectares. It is expected to meet 30 to 40 percent of local needs of potato seeds ,” Mehdi Mahdaoui said.
• Earlier this year Algeria witnessed a big shortage in potatoes which led to an unprecedented price upsurge. The government had to import large quantities to ease the crisis.
• “The laboratory will be inaugurated by President Bouteflika in the beginning of 2009. Equipments will be imported from South Korea.”
• Mahdaoui said many Algerian agricultural engineers benefited from training sessions in this field in South Korea.  
• “Algeria will not need to import potato seeds any more if two other similar laboratories are created,” he added.