Latest news with #AgricultureandLandReclamation
Egypt Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt, Uzbekistan discuss agricultural cooperation
Agricultural land CAIRO – 29 May 2025: Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk discussed with a high-level delegation from the Republic of Uzbekistan under the Director of the Cabinet Secretariat for Investments, Exports, Trade, Agriculture, and Water Management ways to enhance joint cooperation between the two countries in various fields of the agricultural sector. The meeting comes within the framework of presidential directives to strengthen cooperation with Uzbekistan and to follow up on the technical aspects of implementing the outcomes of joint committees. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the agricultural capabilities available in Egypt and Uzbekistan and explored opportunities to develop partnerships in agricultural and livestock production, exchange of expertise and technical knowledge, and enhancement of trade exchange in agricultural products. Farouk emphasized the deep historical ties between Egypt and Uzbekistan across various fields and at all levels. He also highlighted the political leadership's keenness to develop these relations, including in the vital agricultural sector. The Minister of Agriculture expressed his ministry's readiness to provide all forms of support and expertise to ensure the success of joint cooperation in achieving food security and agricultural development in both countries. He also referred to his recent meeting with Mansurbek Kilichev, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Egypt, during which the importance of strengthening cooperation in various agricultural fields was discussed. The minister explained that in recent years, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Egypt has witnessed significant development and a genuine renaissance in all fields, including the agricultural sector, which now receives considerable attention from the political leadership. He noted that Egypt has taken many steps to improve the investment climate and simplify procedures to encourage investors. He added that the agricultural sector in Egypt holds great investment potential and offers many opportunities that can be included in areas of joint cooperation. The Minister of Agriculture directed the External Agricultural Relations Department to organize intensive field visits for the Uzbek delegation to various agricultural projects and entities in Egypt, including research centers, institutes, laboratories, and model farms producing various crops. These visits aim to post the delegation on important experiences that could benefit the exchange and transfer of expertise. For their part, the Uzbek delegation stressed their country's political leadership's commitment to strengthening joint cooperation in various areas, especially agriculture and food security, and to intensifying efforts to enhance agricultural relations between the two countries. They expressed interest in boosting cooperation with Egypt in the agricultural field and benefiting from Egypt's distinguished expertise in the sector. They stressed the importance of exchanging visits and experiences between specialists on both sides to advance the prospects of cooperation. They also discussed ways to increase trade in crops and agricultural products, especially since the trade balance between the two countries reached around $55 million in 2024. (
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Feature: Sowing gains: innovation drives Egypt's wheat surge
QALYUBIA, Egypt, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Islam Ezz, a farmer in Qalyubia governorate north of Cairo, has an unprecedented yield in his wheat fields this year. "Wheat cultivation is beaming this season thanks to the new seeds we obtained from the research institute affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture," Ezz told Xinhua, noting that the yield per feddan (about 0.42 hectares) this year has reached nearly 14 ardebs (about 2,100 kg), a more than 16-percent increase from last year. The middle-aged farmer said they also have periodic visits from agricultural associations offering advice and free treatments for seedling diseases. The Egyptian government's investment in agricultural innovation is yielding fruitful harvests. According to Ramadan Mohamed, another farmer from Manshyat Banha, wheat prices increase during this harvest season, as part of the government's efforts to bolster wheat production. Farmers are encouraged by the competitive price, which stands at 2,200 Egyptian pounds (about 44 U.S. dollars) per ardeb this year, a significant jump from the 2023 supply price of 1,250 pounds per ardeb, he said. "This price increase is a clear incentive for farmers to expand their wheat cultivation," Mohamed explained. The government's many-sided approach extends beyond seed provision, as farmers also benefit from new pesticides at symbolic prices, and the guarantee of swift payment within hours of delivery to government-owned silos. The tangible results of these efforts were highlighted by Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, when he announced earlier this month that this season's yield is expected to reach 10 million tons, a notable increase from the 9.4 million tons recorded in 2024. In a recent TV interview, the minister attributed this success to the development of wheat seeds resistant to salinity and climate change, which has led to a 7-10 percent increase in productivity per acre (about 0.4 hectares) this year. The research institute under the Ministry of Agriculture has been at the forefront of this innovation, successfully developing over 20 varieties of wheat seeds boasting high yields and climate-tolerant qualities, according to the ministry. It also provides farmers with certified seeds at subsidized prices, and they are distributed strategically based on the country's variety map to ensure optimal growth and yield in each region. Meanwhile, al-Bahi Heikal, former director general at the ministry, attributed this season's strong production to a combination of new seeds, modern irrigation techniques, and sound agricultural guidance. Stressing the government's dedication to developing highly efficient wheat seeds and varieties, Heikal told Xinhua, "As a strategic crop vital for bread, pasta, and other baked goods, wheat cultivation is a cornerstone of Egypt's food security."
Egypt Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt harvests 3.1 million acres of wheat so far: Agriculture Minister
wheat CAIRO – 23 May 2025: Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, announced that Egypt has harvested approximately 3.1 million acres of wheat to date, accounting for over 98% of the total cultivated area of 3.4 million acres. He added that farmers have delivered more than 3.2 million tons of locally grown wheat to silos and barns across the country, with harvesting, threshing, and delivery operations ongoing in all governorates. The minister affirmed that the harvest and supply process is progressing smoothly, with no reported obstacles. The government has issued directives to facilitate the supply process, offer technical support to farmers, minimize post-harvest losses, and encourage agricultural mechanization to save time and labor. Farouk projected total wheat production for the year to reach approximately 10 million tons, with supply volumes expected to exceed 4.5 million tons. He attributed the strong harvest and supply performance to state-provided incentives, including the early announcement of a purchase price of EGP 2,200 per ardeb to encourage farmers. He also highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring farmers receive payments within 48 hours of delivery. To support the supply chain, around 420 collection points have been prepared nationwide to receive wheat from farmers and suppliers. The minister emphasized the strategic importance of wheat in securing national food needs, especially for subsidized bread. Currently, Egypt meets around 56% of its domestic wheat demand and aims to increase that to 65% in the coming phase, while maintaining a balanced approach to crop diversification and water resource management.
Egypt Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt, South Korea discuss investment in poultry vaccine production
Poultry industry in Egypt - File Photo CAIRO – 16 May 2025: Alaa Farouk, Egypt's Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, held a meeting with representatives of one of South Korea's leading poultry vaccine manufacturers to discuss potential investment in Egypt's poultry vaccine industry. The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister Mostafa El-Sayyad and senior ministry officials. Minister Farouk emphasized the Egyptian government's strong support for investments that align with national priorities, especially in agriculture and related sectors. He underscored the government's commitment to improving the investment climate, facilitating procedures for investors, and integrating the private sector into key development projects. Highlighting the strategic importance of the poultry and veterinary vaccine sectors, Farouk noted their essential role in ensuring food security and providing affordable animal protein. He affirmed Egypt's readiness to support such investments through the Ministry's technical bodies, including the Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute and the General Authority for Veterinary Services, ensuring smooth implementation and regulatory compliance. Farouk also pointed out that this partnership could generate significant employment opportunities by transferring Korean expertise and introducing advanced technologies to Egypt. Establishing a vaccine production facility in Egypt could strengthen the country's export capacity, positioning it as a regional hub for veterinary vaccine production, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. The Korean company, with over 50 years of experience and a portfolio of 85 veterinary vaccines, expressed interest in establishing a manufacturing plant in Egypt with an annual production capacity of 200 million doses. It also highlighted Egypt's competitive advantages, including its expertise in producing pathogen-free fertilized eggs. Company officials indicated their willingness to collaborate with Egyptian research institutions, offering training and knowledge exchange to develop local talent and keep pace with the latest advancements in vaccine technology. In conclusion, Minister Farouk directed the General Authority for Veterinary Services and the Serum and Vaccine Research Institute to coordinate closely with the Korean company to explore avenues for cooperation and eliminate any obstacles to investment.
Daily News Egypt
11-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Ministry of Agriculture advances plans to expand agricultural investment in Africa
Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and Sherif El-Gabaly, Chairperson of the African affairs committee in the House of Representatives, co-chaired a high-level meeting to discuss strategies for expanding Egyptian agricultural investments across Africa. The meeting was also attended by Hesham Hosary, Chairperson of the House's agriculture committee, and Abdelsalam El-Gabaly, Chairperson of the Senate's agriculture committee. Farouk emphasized the importance of implementing President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's directives to strengthen cooperation with African nations, particularly in agriculture. He underscored that enhancing agricultural partnerships would contribute to shared food security and long-term economic ties between Egypt and other African countries. The Minister highlighted that many African countries hold significant untapped potential, offering fertile ground for investment in strategic and economically vital crops. These opportunities, he noted, would serve the mutual interests of Egypt and its continental partners. During the meeting, participants explored the development of a scalable model for agricultural investment applicable in multiple African countries. Key criteria for selecting target markets included political stability, the quality of agricultural land, water availability, transport infrastructure, and access to resources. Several investment models were reviewed, with a consensus reached to prepare a comprehensive feasibility study identifying priority countries. This study will assess the potential for investment facilitation, risk mitigation, and the level of support available to investors. A shortlist of countries will be selected in the initial phase, based on transparent and protective criteria. The meeting also concluded with an agreement to engage business leaders and investors in the next stage. The goal is to introduce these investment models and promote public-private partnerships, supported by national banks, to drive agricultural development in Africa. This session builds on prior coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and the African affairs committee to advance Egyptian agricultural interests on the continent. It included a recommendation to form a permanent committee dedicated to studying and monitoring agricultural investment opportunities in Africa.
