CAIRO - 7 November 2024: Egypt's Ministries of Planning and Economic Development, Agriculture and Land Reclamation, alongside the British Embassy in Cairo, have launched a new project aimed at supporting small wheat farmers.
The initiative, titled “Enhancing Food Security and Achieving Economic Stability in Egypt by Supporting Small Wheat Farmers,” marks the first practical implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Egypt and the United Kingdom last October to address food security challenges.
The two-year project focuses on improving wheat production in Egypt by enhancing soil fertility, reducing dependency on imported wheat, and addressing the impact of global price fluctuations. By supporting small farmers with better agricultural practices, the project aims to increase wheat yields, enhance economic stability, and improve human capital by promoting better nutrition and health among local communities.
In her remarks during the launch, Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, emphasized the importance of international partnerships in advancing Egypt’s food security strategy. She noted that the project will also focus on climate change mitigation, particularly through better soil management and reduced carbon emissions from agricultural activities.
“The Egyptian government prioritizes food security as a central pillar of economic development,” Al-Mashat said.
Al-Mashat added that through collaborations like this, they aim to close development gaps, support sustainable agricultural practices, and mobilize local and international resources to achieve economic stability and growth.
The project also aims to enhance the resilience of local wheat production to global market fluctuations. By improving soil health and fertilizer efficiency, it is expected that Egypt can reduce its wheat import requirements by 20-25 percent, contributing to long-term economic stability.
Alaa Farouk, Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, highlighted the importance of the UK’s technical expertise in promoting sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in wheat cultivation. The collaboration will focus on enhancing soil fertility, boosting agricultural productivity, and supporting small farmers with advanced farming techniques, especially in the use of fertilizers.
Catherine Carr, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Cairo, expressed her support for the project, emphasizing the importance of public-private sector collaboration in boosting local wheat production. “This initiative is a crucial step toward improving Egypt’s food security, benefiting consumers, farmers, and the country as a whole. The Sustainable Wheat Program will play a key role in reducing Egypt’s reliance on wheat imports,” she said.
The project aligns with broader efforts by both Egypt and the UK to tackle global food security challenges. In 2023, the UK hosted the Global Food Security Summit, which called for increased innovation and investment in agricultural infrastructure worldwide. The partnership between Egypt and the UK in this project is a continuation of that global effort, with a focus on practical, on-the-ground solutions.
As Egypt continues to prioritize food security, the launch of this project underscores the importance of strategic international cooperation to build resilience in local agriculture and support the country’s economic development.
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