Higher School of Saharan Agriculture – El oued

A delegation from the Higher School of Saharan Agriculture, represented by Professor Abbas KEMARCHOU, Director of the Laboratory for the Modernization and Development of Agriculture in Saharan Regions, and Dr. Kamel Eddine MAKHLOUF, conducted a scientific visit to SAGRODEV, an agricultural development company located in Guellal, Setif Province.

SAGRODEV is a specialized unit operating under Algeria’s seed development sector and is dedicated to the production of pre-basic potato seed tubers (G0) through in vitro tissue culture techniques. The company serves as a key supplier within the national potato seed development programme and plays an important role in supporting the country's agricultural production systems.

The visit offered a valuable opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the various stages of plant tissue culture production. During a short practical training session hosted by the company's laboratory, the visiting faculty members explored the procedures and technologies employed in the micropropagation of plant material under controlled laboratory conditions.

The programme included practical demonstrations on the preparation of culture media used in tissue culture, with particular emphasis on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, its composition, and sterilization requirements. Participants also engaged in hands-on activities involving explant preparation and tissue culture establishment under aseptic conditions, while observing the different stages of plant growth and multiplication in laboratory culture systems.

Beyond the technical aspects of tissue culture, the visit provided an opportunity to strengthen the link between scientific knowledge and contemporary agricultural practices. The experience contributed to a deeper understanding of disease-free propagation techniques and their potential applications in enhancing agricultural production systems, particularly within Saharan and arid environments.

This scientific visit reflects the Higher School of Saharan Agriculture’s commitment to fostering collaboration with leading agricultural institutions and promoting the adoption of innovative technologies that support research, training, and sustainable agricultural development.