Saharan agriculture, primarily focused on date palm cultivation and, to a lesser extent, arboriculture and market gardening, currently plays a crucial role in stabilizing and developing human and economic settlements (population stabilization, viability of arid spaces, job creation, subsistence and income production, and foreign currency savings).

However, this agriculture faces challenges in meeting the growing demand resulting from various socio-economic, demographic, technological, and cultural changes. The underutilization of date palm products and by-products, water resources, existing renewable energies, and interstitial and peripheral palm grove spaces is a clear indicator of underdevelopment, if not regression.

Thus, these oasis agroecosystems must evolve and adapt to new socio-economic and technological requirements while ensuring the preservation of the established balance.

The expansion of agricultural areas through land development programs over the past two decades has highlighted numerous signs of unsuitability, such as:

Plate 02: Effects of irrigation with brackish water and inadequate drainage in the Oued Righ region (Aerial view (a) and (b)).

1. The uncontrolled use of basic equipment, agricultural machinery, and inputs increases production costs while negatively impacting the environment, particularly in open-field crop production;
2. The expansion of date palm cultivation, mainly focused on the "Deglet Nour" variety, exposes the phoenicultural heritage to genetic erosion and various risks, including economic and phytosanitary threats;
3. The sudden drop in yields, leading to soil degradation and even sterilization (as observed in cereal pivot irrigation systems);
4. The economic failures of numerous newly established farms.

Moreover, due to their implantation characteristics, new agricultural farms (or irrigation perimeters) face various challenges, the most significant being inaccessibility, exposure to winds, salinity, and drainage, among others.

In most cases, the establishment process of these perimeters has not followed a comprehensive approach capable of ensuring integrated development.

Thus, despite the efforts made in this sector, Saharan agriculture is currently threatened both in its sustainability and survival.

Faced with this concerning situation, research should focus on:

• Identifying and characterizing existing biological material;
• Proposing varietal diversification;
• Suggesting adaptation benchmarks for new technologies (mechanization, packaging, preservation…);
• Mastering technical processes by drawing inspiration from ancient practices and local know-how;
• Developing technical and economic benchmarks for new plantations;
• Enhancing local products, by-products, and organic production;
• Establishing an observatory to monitor local practices, as well as water, soil, and agricultural product quality, with a focus on public health and environmental preservation.