The University of El Oued: Annual Report for SDG 2 – Zero Hunger

Introduction

The University of El Oued, located in the southeast of Algeria, stands as a regional hub of innovation, sustainability, and agricultural research. Situated in a region recognized as a national pole of agricultural production (dates, potatoes, and nuts), the University plays a leading role in promoting food security, sustainable agriculture, and nutritional well-being. Guided by the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), the University aligns its teaching, research, and community engagement with the goal to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

The University’s strategy for “Zero Hunger” is built on four key pillars:

  1. Sustainable Agricultural Development: Advancing innovative agricultural research tailored to desert and semi-arid ecosystems, promoting smart agriculture, sustainable irrigation, and soil fertility restoration through organic and local solutions. Link: https://dspace.univ-eloued.dz/items/5214feb8-738f-4efd-972b-425aeba109f3

  2. Food Security and Nutrition: Supporting initiatives that ensure access to safe and nutritious food, such as the free meal program for students, community food drives, and research on nutrient-rich local crops to reduce hunger and malnutrition among vulnerable populations. Link: https://dspace.univ-eloued.dz/items/46ca4bac-1c5c-4aa4-a900-346786a97782

  3. Education, Research, and Innovation: Integrating hunger-related themes into academic curricula, developing applied research projects on sustainable food production, and fostering innovation through the extraction of composites that help defeat diseases, which connects students, engineers, and farmers for knowledge-sharing and problem-solving. Link: https://dspace.univ-eloued.dz/items/1dc2a986-d517-4114-b766-27e07eb2e31c

  4. Community Engagement and Capacity Building: Empowering local farmers, students, and rural communities through workshops, vocational training, and outreach programs that promote sustainable agricultural practices, equitable food access, and environmental resilience.

Through this integrated approach, the University of El Oued supports Algeria’s national agricultural strategies and contributes actively to global efforts to eradicate hunger.

I. Ensuring Access to Safe and Nutritious Food (Target 2.1)

1.1 Free Meal Program for Students (National Directive Policy)

The University of El Oued guarantees free daily meals through its on-campus cafeterias and canteens, controlling the quality of meals for all students. This national directive ensures that every student, regardless of socioeconomic status, has access to nutritious and balanced food throughout the academic year. The meals are prepared under strict health and safety regulations, supporting academic performance and overall well-being.

1.2 Community Food Aid Campaigns

In collaboration with student associations and local charities, the University organizes seasonal food distribution campaigns, especially during Ramadan and other humanitarian periods, providing food packages to families in need.

II. Ending Malnutrition and Promoting Nutritional Research

2.1 Research on Nutrient-Rich Local Crops

The University’s research on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), cultivated in the El-Ragouba (Mih Athia) region, highlights its nutritional, phytochemical, and biological properties:

  • High in carbohydrates (71.27 g/100 g) and minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe).

  • Contains bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids with antioxidant properties.

  • Demonstrated significant biological activity in DPPH radical scavenging and hemolysis inhibition tests.

This research supports the cultivation and consumption of millet as a local, sustainable, and nutrient-rich crop, reducing dependency on imported cereals and helping combat hidden hunger and malnutrition in the region.

Link: https://dspace.univ-eloued.dz/items/32b05af2-7910-4e5a-a48f-651fcdc0cfa6

2.2 Nutrition Education

Through its Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, the University conducts seminars, awareness workshops, and outreach programs that promote:

  • Balanced nutrition for children and adolescents.

  • Healthy eating habits among university students.

  • Nutritional projects focused on women’s health. Link: https://dspace.univ-eloued.dz/items/023b520f-9999-4022-8f43-ed901efc8bf9

III. Sustainable Agriculture and Smart Farming

3.1 Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Practices

The University of El Oued promotes smart agriculture techniques to improve yield and environmental sustainability. Researchers and students experiment with precision farming, automated irrigation systems, and data-driven soil monitoring. The Faculty of Sciences and Technology collaborates with agricultural cooperatives to introduce sustainable farming practices adapted to desert ecosystems.

3.2 Fertilizer Innovation for Soil Regeneration

A field study in Debila (El Oued) tested an organic fertilizer composed of eggshells and orange peels applied to potato crops.

  • Results showed improved soil moisture, organic matter content, and electrical conductivity, with reduced soil pH and enhanced crop growth.

  • The fertilizer demonstrated strong potential as a low-cost, eco-friendly agricultural solution for resource-poor farmers in arid environments.

This research contributes to enhancing soil fertility, increasing yields, and reducing the environmental footprint of synthetic fertilizers, directly supporting a sustainable and resilient agricultural system. Link: https://dspace.univ-eloued.dz/items/5bc2337f-b73d-49b0-a296-80fa8f9f0f6e

IV. Agricultural Innovation and Research Infrastructure

4.1 AI Agriculture Digital Learning Platform

Recognizing that Algeria’s agricultural sector faces obstacles such as limited access to technical knowledge and climate change impacts, the University developed AI-farming, a digital platform designed to enhance agricultural education, knowledge exchange, and extension services.

Platform Features and Objectives:

  • AI-Powered Diagnostics: Uses image recognition to identify crop diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies with precision.

  • Customized Solutions: Provides tailored recommendations for treatment, prevention, irrigation, and fertilization, adapted to local environmental conditions.

  • Expert Connectivity: Links farmers directly with agricultural specialists and university researchers for guidance and real-time support.

  • Strategic Impact: This platform bridges the gap between academia and the farming community, fostering innovation, practical training, and technology transfer, essential for building rural capacity and food system resilience.

Link: https://dspace.univ-eloued.dz/items/5306ddeb-1b77-4821-8c5a-0cf3b5940103

4.2 Investment in Agricultural Research and Training

The University continues to invest in:

  • Research laboratories dedicated to soil science, plant physiology, and biotechnology.

  • Workshops and training programs on sustainable farming, composting, and climate-resilient crops.

  • Partnerships with local and national agricultural institutions to improve research infrastructure and field outreach.

V. Genetic Diversity and Bio-innovation (Target 2.5)

5.1 Bioplastic Development from Potato Starch

Researchers from El Oued conducted an innovative study on the production of biodegradable bioplastics from potato starch, an abundant local crop.

  • The study demonstrated high biodegradability and bacterial decomposition within 48 hours in liquid environments.

This project contributes to sustainable agricultural waste management, value-added processing of local crops, and environmental protection, while promoting circular economy principles within food production systems.

Link: https://dspace.univ-eloued.dz/items/78cd27ca-1009-45dd-adc7-0daa1d2ba8f4

5.2 Community Engagement and Social Innovation

The University’s extension activities bring together students, researchers, and local farmers for hands-on field experiments, awareness sessions, and solution-sharing workshops addressing local agricultural challenges. Public seminars raise awareness about sustainable water management in desert agriculture and nutritional security in Southern Algeria.

Conclusion

The University of El Oued demonstrates a strong and holistic commitment to SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, combining academic excellence, research innovation, and community service to address local and national food security challenges. Through initiatives such as the guarantee of free, high-quality meals for all students, pioneering research into bioplastics and organic fertilizers, development of the AI-farming digital platform, and nutritional studies on local crops, the University contributes directly to: eradicating hunger and malnutrition, enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability and empowering rural communities through knowledge and technology.