Agro-pastoral management and sustainable community development of the Ain Skhouna wetland (Saïda Province)

The project consists of rehabilitating the wetland by establishing rational management of water and soil resources, alongside the development of cattle farming and family crafts. The project is structured around two interconnected pillars: the socio-economic pillar and the technical pillar. The socio-economic pillar addresses the combination of unfavorable factors—increased aridity, ineffective water and soil management, and the disengagement of rural populations—which have caused the Ain Skhouna wetland to gradually succumb to the regressive dynamics of arid steppes. This situation has led to a decline in economic activities tied to local expertise, thereby increasing social precariousness and population vulnerability to emerging diseases. This pillar aims to develop an alternative family economy and integrate populations into the production sphere by establishing a solidarity-based artisanal production (dairies, tanneries, basketry, etc.). The technical pillar manages the agro-pastoral development of the wetland reserve, prioritizing species with high green biomass production potential. Simultaneously, it promotes reasoned management of water and soil resources, as well as sustainable livestock management and related family economies. The goal is to rectify existing imbalances through balanced water resource management, ensure rural community development based on this ecosystem, and build a bridge with state-initiated rural and steppe development programs (P.D.R.I).

Objectives:

Identify the development needs of rural communities to support local and national public policies.

Rehabilitate local expertise by proposing qualifying training programs adapted to community needs and local development.

Actions Taken / Planned:

Conduct a state-of-the-art review of research and knowledge regarding wetlands at the national level.

Develop and test biological indicators as relevant tools for evaluating water management within the context of climate change; perform an agro-ecological typology of soils and allocate them based on fertility potential.

Identify and inventory local expertise and traditional knowledge.

Expected Results / Perspectives:

Accurately assess water resources and optimize ecosystem yield by rehabilitating or introducing palatable plant species adapted to wetlands.

Manage watercourses to improve groundwater hydraulic functioning, correct soil salinity, and expand the wetland surface area.

Support local populations and authorities in proposing and implementing a Rural Development Plan (PPDR).