Egypt targets reclaiming 4 mln feddans by 2026 to enhance food security: Ministry spox

MENA , Ahram Online , Sunday 22 Dec 2024

The Egyptian government targets reclaiming four million feddans by 2025-2026, aiming to attain self-sufficiency and strengthen its position as a major supporter of food security in the region, the Ministry of Agriculture Spokesman Mohamed El-Qersh said.

agriculture

 

El-Qersh told the Sada El-Balad TV channel in a phone call on Sunday that the ministry has identified the appropriate locations for these lands and has begun implementing several projects. 

He said intensive work is underway to reclaim and cultivate these areas. 

Moreover, the spokesman noted that the ministry is working to provide self-sufficiency for all agricultural goods and products and has achieved remarkable progress.

In addition, he explained that the ministry plans to expand cotton production and focus on manufacturing processes to maximize the benefits of local cotton and export it to increase its marketing value.

Sustainable cultivation efforts
 

Egypt's current reclamation efforts build on previous initiatives, reflecting the country’s commitment to bolstering food security.  

This is particularly important considering recent international crises, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, which have disrupted the global food supply chain, impacting countries like Egypt that have long relied on imported wheat

In 2023, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said Egypt is intensifying efforts to reclaim 3.5 million feddans of agricultural land, nearly one-third of the country's existing cultivated area, through projects in the New Delta, Toshka, and Sinai regions.  

This initiative aims to reduce reliance on crop imports and address soaring food prices.  

The project focuses on cultivating several strategic crops, primarily wheat, corn, and barley, as well as some economic crops such as peanuts, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and medicinal and aromatic plants. 

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