Egypt, FAO sign framework to raise food security

CAIRO – 24 April 2018: Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Abd El-Maneim El Banna and Hussein Gaden, representative of the United Nation’s Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), signed the framework of the Egyptian national program for 2018-2022.

Gaden said that the signed program comes in line with the sustainable development in Egypt Vision 2030 and the objectives of the FAO, as it focuses on achieving three priorities: improving agricultural productivity, raising food security in strategic commodities, and sustainable use of natural agricultural resources.

The FAO representative added that they will work on achieving the priorities through developing the national plans related to food security, in addition to expanding social security to include the rural areas, besides focusing on new technology to increase water production, coping with climate change, and ensuring the connection between water, energy and food.

He further noted that the organization will help Egypt to reach its goals of sustainable development, especially in eliminating hunger.

This framework takes into consideration the Agricultural Operational Plan for Development – the main driver for achieving the 2030 sustainable development goals, which includes three components: institutional reforms, revision of agricultural policies, and development and investment programs, the agriculture minister said.

He affirmed that the FAO makes significant contributions in agriculture development projects and food security in Egypt.

The FAO is the United Nation’s specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger, targeting to provide food security for all and making sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

It has 194 member states and is working in over 130 countries worldwide.