Minister of Agriculture discusses Siwa development project

CAIRO – 22 May 2017: Minister of Agriculture Abdel-Moneim al-Banna stressed the importance of developing Siwa Oasis, in the Western Desert, during a meeting with Director-General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) Ibrahim al-Dekhairi, Al Mal reported Tuesday.

The minister highlighted Siwa’s unique and historic nature as an archaeological area in Egypt. He also pointed out the importance of the cooperation between Egypt and the AOAD in the implementation of the development project, and the advancement of palm tree plantations.

Banna added that he is currently coordinating with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to establish a database of Arab agriculture to gradually create an integrated and comprehensive information system. This is meant to assist decision makers by providing them with information, he stated.

The minister added that the cooperation between Egypt and FAO should include greenhouses, in conjunction with the national project, in order to establish 100 thousand greenhouses for the integrated production of vegetables, fruits and strategic crops, medicinal and aromatic plants.