The Determinants and Constraints of the Transition to Agroecology in Algeria

Conventional farming, focused primarily on maximizing productivity, has led to adverse consequences for the environment and human health. Faced with these challenges, agroecology emerged as a promising alternative for sustainable agricultural practices that respect people’s health and the environment. This study aims to determine whether agroecological practices are being adopted in the market gardening sector in the commune of Bou Ismaïl, identifying the factors influencing this adoption and defining the constraints hindering their development. To achieve this objective a survey of 33 randomly selected market gardeners was conducted to collect data on their characteristics and the agroecological practices implemented in their production processes. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and a Logit regression model. Findings reveal that while agroecological practices are being adopted in the study area, their adoption levels vary among farmers. The analysis identified several factors influencing this adoption, which are both internal and external to the farms and differ depending on the specific practices considered. However, the study highlights various constraints that hinder the adoption of agroecological methods. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed to promote agroecological practices and enhance their adoption levels among market gardeners.