Does Internet Usage Enhance Food Production In Algeria? A Structural Break Ardl Approach

Résumé: This study explores how Algeria's rapid internet penetration has influenced food production through the adoption of agricultural technologies. Utilizing a structural break autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach with data from 1990 to 2020, it examines the relationships among food production index (FPI), internet usage (NET), agricultural raw material imports (AMRI), and population growth (POPgr). The findings reveal that (1) internet adoption has a marginally significant short-term positive effect on food production, but its long-term impact is statistically insignificant, highlighting the rural-urban digital divide; (2) agricultural imports temporarily boost production while undermining long-term sustainability; and (3) population growth increases food demand, requiring productivity gains. The study concludes that Algeria's digital transformation holds potential, but targeted policies—such as improving rural ICT infrastructure, creating localized e-agriculture platforms, and pursuing import substitution—are essential for sustainable food security in the agricultural sector.

Publié dans la revue: مجلة البشائر الاقتصادية