WRITTEN BY Jennifer Terlouw, jlterlou@ncsu.edu

In November of 2019, CALS Global Academy was able to host a visiting group of agribusiness professionals from Algeria for a Cochran Fellowship Program. The aims of this program included streamlining poultry feed production in Algeria and growing capacity for agricultural research and international trade. This was the first time NC State has welcomed Algerian agriculture professionals for such a program, but for many of the fellows visiting, it was also their first time in the US. 

“I’ve never felt American rain before,” fellow Ismail Boutrik said, lowering his umbrella to enjoy the new experience outside of the NC State Feed Mill. 

The participating fellows included Samir Arfaoui, Technical Director of Sari Nutri Aliments Salah; Hama Benbarek, Professor of Animal Husbandry at Mascara University; Yakoub Bouarroudj, Technical Supervisor of Commerce with Eurl Milaveta; Ismail Boutrik, Nutritional Engineer with Promo Invest; and Dalila Hachache, Sales Manager and Agronomic Engineer with Group Avicole Centre. 

During their time with NC State, the fellows visited the Coker Feed Mill, the NC State Feed Mill, and attended sessions with university faculty and other North Carolina experts about the general processing and formulation of poultry feed. They continued that education in Missouri, where the fellows visited facilities to learn about American mill processing and management.

Ismail found both visits greatly valuable, but he noted that the immersive cultural experience is an important aspect of the Cochran fellowship as well. “Every state has its own architecture and beauty,” said Boutrik. Through the formation of this mutually beneficial relationship between American and Algerian agricultural programs, this cultural exchange can be ongoing.