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Daily News Egypt
22-07-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Internet of Things helps fight crop diseases sustainably: Egyptian phytopathologist
Travelling across Egypt's governorates, Ayther Amr — a young Egyptian phytopathologist and Master's researcher at Cairo University — is demonstrating how the blend of biological innovation and precision agriculture could redefine sustainable farming in Egypt. As a member of the plant pathology research team at the Agricultural Research Center and through his work with the private firm Project Future Egypt, Amr focuses on adapting biological solutions to local agricultural and climate conditions. His main work centres on beneficial strains of Trichoderma — eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. In Egypt's challenging desert environment, Amr participated in greenhouse trials testing two Trichoderma strains, applied in both liquid and powder forms, on tomato plants infected with Botrytis cinerea — the fungus responsible for grey mould, a widespread pathogen affecting food and ornamental crops worldwide. 'Trichoderma is a genus of fungi widely used in agriculture as a direct biological control agent against plant pathogens,' Amr explains. He describes the experiment: 'We tested two scenarios — one with mild infection and another with advanced symptoms — to evaluate how effectively these beneficial fungi could work under precision-controlled conditions. We used an advanced climate control system powered by Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor humidity, temperature, and ventilation in real time.' The trial, which lasted between 7 and 15 days with daily observation, produced encouraging results. In mildly infected plants, fungal activity was stopped entirely. In plants with more advanced infection, disease severity dropped by over 60% compared to untreated plants. 'The experiment proved that technology alone isn't the solution — but it creates the optimal conditions for nature to act,' Amr says. 'It gives beneficial microbes the environment they need to work effectively.' Following the success in greenhouses, the team extended the trials to open fields across five Egyptian regions: Beni Suef, Minya, Sohag, El Sadat, and Mansoura. The results were consistent. 'This consistency helped convince farmers,' Amr notes. 'Despite different backgrounds and ways of thinking, farmers across these areas shared the belief that healthy soil, supported by precision agriculture and beneficial microbes, is key to a safer, more sustainable future.' Looking ahead, the team is preparing to collaborate with Chinese partners to expand this approach to diverse environments across Africa and Asia. The goal, Amr adds, is to develop advanced bioformulations adapted to different climate zones and refine the technology for large-scale open field use.
See - Sada Elbalad
17-07-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
EU Ambassador Highlights Key Role in Supporting Egypt's Agricultural Development
Taarek Refaat Angelina Eichhorst, the European Union Ambassador to Egypt, emphasized the EU's pivotal role in supporting agricultural and rural development in Egypt, through over 15 projects, including the Caffè Program, implemented in collaboration with Italian cooperation. Eichhorst reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting Egypt's efforts in ensuring sustainable food systems, high-quality food, and accessibility for all. At the signing ceremony of a new protocol between the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the Agricultural Research Center in Egypt, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk expressed his confidence in the program's potential to strengthen crop production, especially wheat, as part of the broader EU-backed Caffè initiative. Strengthening Partnerships for Agricultural Innovation During the event, Michele Quaroni, the Italian Ambassador to Egypt, renewed Italy's steadfast commitment to enhancing its partnership with Egypt in the agricultural and rural development sectors. He highlighted the alignment with Italy's Mattei Plan, a comprehensive strategy that aims to support Egypt's sustainable agricultural development by fostering knowledge exchange, investing in innovation, and promoting sustainable farming practices. This initiative is crucial to driving inclusive growth and ensuring food security for the country. Ambassador Quaroni stated, 'Italy continues to back Egypt's agricultural transformation through collaborative efforts that focus on sharing expertise, introducing advanced technologies, and promoting sustainable practices in agriculture.' Focus on Wheat Production and Agricultural Innovation Tiberio Chiari, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Cairo, also highlighted that the signed memorandum of understanding represents a critical milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the agency and Egypt's Agricultural Research Center. This partnership aims to enhance Egypt's wheat sector infrastructure by providing modern agricultural machinery, upgrading wheat breeding labs, and establishing seed production factories. The partnership will also work toward modernizing the agricultural practices in Egypt, which is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the country's wheat supply—a vital crop for Egypt's food security. Shared Vision for Sustainable Agriculture The Caffè Program, part of the EU's broader strategy for agricultural and rural development in Egypt, focuses on sustainable practices that support local farmers and rural communities. With projects like these, the EU is playing a significant role in addressing the challenges of food security and agricultural productivity in Egypt, helping the country advance its sustainable development goals. Minister Farouk emphasized that the collaboration with Italy and the EU aligns with Egypt's ongoing efforts to modernize its agricultural infrastructure and improve production capabilities, making it an essential step toward a self-sufficient and food-secure future. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
See - Sada Elbalad
30-05-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Uzbek Gov't Delegation Tours Agricultural Projects, Research Centers in Egypt
Taarek Refaat An Uzbek government delegation headed by the Director of the Cabinet Secretariat for Investment, Export, Trade, Agriculture and Water Resources visited several agricultural projects and research centers during a four-day visit to Egypt. The Uzbek delegation began its field trip with a visit to the Agricultural Research Center, where they were briefed on the center's research activities and its efforts to achieve food security and improve crop productivity. They also visited the Excellence and Innovation Exhibition. The Uzbek delegation also visited the Desert Research Center, where they learned about the center's efforts to address the challenges of desertification and climate change. The Uzbek group expressed their great admiration for Egypt's experience in establishing integrated agricultural communities aimed at achieving social stability and sustainable development, commending the role of the Desert Research Center in providing pioneering models and practical solutions to environmental and agricultural challenges in desert regions. They also inspected the "Future of Egypt" sustainable agriculture project, the first project aimed at achieving self-sufficiency and exporting surpluses. The targeted area for reclamation is 1.5 million feddans, out of the total area of the New Delta project, which amounts to 2.2 million feddans. They affirmed Uzbekistan's keenness to exchange successful experiences with Egypt in land reclamation, natural resource management, and modern agriculture, especially in light of the environmental and climate challenges facing both countries. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Asharq Al-Awsat
10-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Egypt Targets 10 mln Ton Wheat Harvest
Egypt expects to harvest 10 million tonnes of wheat this year, up from 9 million in 2023, driven by improved crop yields and ambitious land reclamation efforts, Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk told Reuters late on Wednesday. He said 3.1175 million feddans (about 1.30 million hectares) have been cultivated this season — slightly lower than the 3.5 million feddans announced earlier by the planning ministry and 3.2 million feddans in 2024 (1.34 million hectares), suggesting a possible decline in total wheat area. Farmers have told Reuters that wheat has become less profitable compared to crops like beet, whose area increased from 500,000 feddans (210,000 hectares) to 700,000 feddans (294,000 hectares) this year. The government plans to buy 4-5 million tonnes of local wheat and import about 6 million tonnes to provide heavily subsidised bread for over 69 million Egyptians. Farouk said newer high-yield wheat strains developed by the Agricultural Research Center have raised productivity by 7-8.5%. "This is vertical expansion, and horizontal expansion is coming," he said. That horizontal expansion is led by the Mostakbal Misr for Sustainable Development, which plans to reclaim 4 million feddans across the country. Farouk said some of that land is ready for production and the rest will follow in the next two years, offering major opportunities for agricultural investment. Mostakbal Misr, recently tasked with wheat imports, is also developing infrastructure and growing crops tailored to local consumption, exports and agri-processing, Farouk said.. Farouk added the government is studying a potential rise in local fertilizer prices. Urea and nitrate fertilizers cost around 9,500 Egyptian pounds ($185) per tonne to produce but are sold at a subsidized 4,500 ($87.63). Export prices reach up to 20,000 pounds ($389.48), Farouk said.
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt targets 10mln ton wheat harvest amid yield gains, land reclamation push
Egypt expects to harvest 10 million tonnes of wheat this year, up from 9 million in 2023, driven by improved crop yields and ambitious land reclamation efforts, Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk told Reuters late on Wednesday. He said 3.1175 million feddans (about 1.30 million hectares) have been cultivated this season — slightly lower than the 3.5 million feddans announced earlier by the planning ministry and 3.2 million feddans in 2024 (1.34 million hectares), suggesting a possible decline in total wheat area. Farmers have told Reuters that wheat has become less profitable compared to crops like beet, whose area increased from 500,000 feddans (210,000 hectares) to 700,000 feddans (294,000 hectares) this year. The government plans to buy 4-5 million tonnes of local wheat and import about 6 million tonnes to provide heavily subsidised bread for over 69 million Egyptians. Farouk said newer high-yield wheat strains developed by the Agricultural Research Center have raised productivity by 7-8.5%. "This is vertical expansion, and horizontal expansion is coming," he said. That horizontal expansion is led by the military-linked Mostakbal Misr for Sustainable Development, which plans to reclaim 4 million feddans across the country. Farouk said some of that land is ready for production and the rest will follow in the next two years, offering major opportunities for agricultural investment. Mostakbal Misr, recently tasked with wheat imports, is also developing infrastructure and growing crops tailored to local consumption, exports and agri-processing, Farouk said. Farouk declined to comment on revenue flows from its operations, referring the matter to the finance ministry. Reuters was unable to immediately reach the finance minister for comment. Farouk added the government is studying a potential rise in local fertilizer prices. Urea and nitrate fertilizers cost around 9,500 Egyptian pounds ($185) per tonne to produce but are sold at a subsidized 4,500 ($87.63). Export prices reach up to 20,000 pounds ($389.48), Farouk said. Fertilizer firms, which are obliged to sell 55% of output at a discount in exchange for subsidised natural gas, have pushed for price hikes. Separately, Egypt is overhauling its underperforming commodities exchange to enable direct crop trading, which would require regulation amendments which Farouk said are expected to be completed this year. $1 = 51.35 Egyptian pounds 1 feddan = 0.42 hectare (Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy, Writing by Mohamed Ezz, editing by Ed Osmond)
