The food deficits problem in the Arab Maghreb union: present state and future perspectives

This paper investigates the scope of the problem of food deficits within the recently‐established Arab Maghreb Union (U.M.A.). Various agricultural options pursued by the member states have been unequal to the aim of achieving food self‐sufficiency. Thus, the inability of agriculture to meet the basic needs of a growing population has led to increasing reliance on external sources of supply. Natural constraints, inadequate inputs and neglect of rural areas account, to a wider extent, for the poor performance of their agriculture. Limited financial resources and widespread social discontent have left no option to the U.M.A. partners than that of exploring regional potentialities in the short and long terms alike.