File Photo: livestock are seen feeding in one of the Government owned projects. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Presidency website.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation has recently approved EGP 499.415 million in new financing for small-scale breeders and young graduates, bringing the project’s total financing since launch to more than EGP 11.172 billion.
This factbox explains the project's latest financing, beneficiaries, production impact, application requirements, and Egypt's broader livestock development plans, including the Egyptian-Italian buffalo breeding programme and the target to increase the national cattle herd to 10 million heads by 2029.
What happened?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation approved EGP 499.415 million in new financing under the National Veal Project.
Who will benefit?
The new financing will go to 372 beneficiaries, including small-scale breeders and young graduates.
What will the financing support?
The funds will support raising and fattening 7,137 heads of cattle.
What is the National Veal Project?
The project is one of Egypt’s key programmes to increase local production of red meat and dairy products, support food security, ease market pressure, and help stabilize prices.
How much financing has been provided since launch?
The project's total financing has exceeded EGP 11.172 billion.
How many people have benefited?
More than 46,000 small-scale breeders and young graduates have benefited from the project.
How many cattle have been supported?
The project has financed the raising and fattening of more than 538,500 heads of cattle.
How does it support food security?
According to the agriculture ministry, the project contributes to producing nearly 600,000 tons of red meat annually.
What is Egypt’s meat self-sufficiency rate?
The ministry said Egypt’s meat self-sufficiency rate has risen to more than 60 percent.
Who can apply?
Small-scale breeders and young graduates across all governorates can apply for financing under the project.
What documents are required?
Applicants must submit several documents, including a valid national ID, a guarantor’s ID if required, proof of academic qualification for young graduates, a certificate of good conduct and criminal record, an inspection report confirming the suitability of the project site, and proof of ownership or lease of the location.
Other requirements include an agricultural holding card if available, activity licences for those seeking financing for more than 20 calves, livestock insurance in favour of the bank, vaccination receipts, and animal registration and numbering cards issued by the competent veterinary authority.
What is the Egyptian-Italian buffalo breeding plan?
The Ministry of Agriculture is establishing a model farm for Egyptian buffalo improved through crossbreeding with Italian breeds.
Where is the model farm located?
The project is planned in the West-West Minya area.
What is the initial capacity?
The pilot farm will have an initial capacity of 1,500 heads of improved Egyptian-Italian buffalo.
What is the expansion plan?
The ministry aims to expand the farm into five neighbouring stations, raising total capacity to 30,000 heads of cattle.
Why does genetic improvement matter?
Officials say crossbreeding high-productivity imported breeds with local disease-resistant breeds can increase meat and milk output while maintaining adaptation to Egypt’s climate.
What are the productivity gains?
Improved breeds can gain up to 1.5 kilograms daily, compared with around 700 grams for unimproved breeds.
Improved female breeds can produce around 20 kilograms of milk per day, compared with seven kilograms for unimproved breeds.
Raising calves to around 400 kilograms can increase meat yield to about 250 kilograms per head, compared with around 30 kilograms from underweight calves.
How has production changed?
Officials say annual red meat production has risen from 555,000 tons to 600,000 tons, while fresh milk production has increased from 6.5 million tons to seven million tons.
What is Egypt’s 2029 target?
Egypt aims to increase its cattle herd from 8.6 million heads to 10 million by 2029.
What is the broader government plan?
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has discussed expanding modern livestock stations with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Egypt's Future Agency for Sustainable Development as part of broader efforts to boost domestic production, improve livestock breeds, and strengthen food security.
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