The Center of Scientific and Technical Research on Arid Regions (CRSTRA) is a Public Scientific and Technological Establishment (EPST) under the supervision of the general direction of scientific research and technological development (DGRSDT), and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS).

Main missions

All the missions assigned to CRSTRA are part of the Algerian State's strategy to ensure management and development of the arid regions in Algeria. The main missions are:

• The implementation of scientific and technical research programs on arid regions and/or those threatened by drought and desertification;
• Conduct or participate in any multidisciplinary research related to drylands;
• Establishment of scientific and technical database on arid regions and ensure its processing, conservation and dissemination;
• Participation in any research on risk management, improvement of the human, social, and economic resilience facing to global and environmental changes.

Research Divisions

1. Water resources management and development in arid regions;
2. Soil resources management and development in arid regions;
3. Biological resources in arid regions;
4. Combating desertification and sand encroachment;
5. Date palm cultivation, biotechnology and valorization of Date Palm Products and by-products;
6. Economic and social development in arid regions; 
7. Ecology of arid ecosystems and climatic hazards.

Cooperation intent: 

CRSTRA is looking forward to develop cooperation with CAICC in some areas of strategic importance such as:

• Developing protection tools and techniques of aeolian moving-sand hazard, especially linear infrastructure, energy transport equipment and cultures in Saharan regions;  
• Precision agriculture, strategic cultures, medicinal and aromatic plants;
• Drought, desertification and climate change adaptation, mitigation and management;
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) in Saharan agriculture;
• Forest, soil, water and pastoral resources development and preservation;
• Any innovative research project that concerns the Saharan agriculture, food security and human health.

Website: https://www.crstra.dz/