Caption
A team of workers planting seedlings of Pinus Halepensis in a largely arid region near Ain Beida, about 110 km. southeast of Constantine. An earlier successful attempt at land reclamation in this region can be seen on the hill in the background. These trees are six years old. - - Reforestation and Rural Development. The purpose of this UN/FAO World Food Programme project is to assist the Government's seven-year plan for reforestation and rural development in which a labour force of some 31,250 is at work in the provinces of Constantine, Setif, Batna and Annaba in the eastern region of Algeria. The workers, employed on a part-time basis, are engaged mainly on soil conservation through reforestation, land reclamation and plantation of crops on previously unproductive lands. They receive part of their wages in the form of WFP food rations for themselves and their dependents, and the Government meets the cash payments. The rations comprise wheat, edible oil, dried skim milk, sugar and cheese; the total cost of the 7-year project to WFP is more than $29 million.