Étude d’aménagement des systèmes agroforestiers en milieux Semi-arides : cas de la plaine de la Mina (Wilaya de Relizane)

Abstract

Located in the northwest of the country at a hundred kilometres east of Oran, the Plain of Mina, with an area of about 900 km2, medium altitude 80 m, a semi-arid to arid climate, is a portion of subsidence in the Lower Chellif basin. This plain is still suffering today the adverse consequences of conventional agriculture: soil degradation (salinity, water and wind erosion), the intensive use of chemical inputs, monoculture, low plant cover ... etc. as it is of major agronomic and economic importance, yet it should develop it, to preserve and manage, through the introduction of trees into agricultural plots, particularly by encouraging a more sustainable agriculture. The agroforestry plots by their synergy indeed produce an advantage of crop rotation pure culture. And agroforestry systems have a goal to diversify production while protecting the crops, the quality of soil and water, stimulating biodiversity and, perhaps, by storing carbon. Furthermore agroforestry plots properly developed and managed are the essential link in the durability and performance of agricultural ecosystems. After phytoecological and socioeconomic characterization of the plain of Mina, a comprehensive diagnosis of land use and an analysis of the functioning of agricultural systems, cluster analysis allows us a better understanding of farm characteristics, made adjustments to propose adequate agroforestry by reasoned introduction of trees on agricultural plots that this positive impact, both economically and agro-environmental perspective.