Monday 13/October/2025 – 11:41 AM
Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, confirmed that the Egyptian agricultural sector represents one of the most important pillars of food security and a basic pillar of the national economy, noting that the state pays great attention to this sector in implementation of the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and based on the national strategy for sustainable development, “Egypt Vision 2030,” which set clear goals to enhance agricultural production, develop value chains, and improve the efficiency of water resources management.
This came during his speech at the third edition of the “Agriculture and Food” conference, which was held under the title: “The Road to the Future… Sustainable Development and Competitive Exports,” where the conference witnessed a high-level attendance that included Counselor Mahmoud Fawzi, Minister of Parliamentary and Legal Affairs and Political Communication, Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Dr. Sherif El-Gebli, Chairman of the African Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, a number of members of the House of Representatives, experts, investors, and some leaders of the Ministry. Agriculture.
The Minister of Agriculture confirmed that Egypt has witnessed in recent years an unprecedented boom in national agricultural projects, such as the New Delta Project and Egypt’s Future for Sustainable Development Project, in addition to the expansion of smart agriculture and greenhouses, and the rehabilitation of canals and irrigation networks based on modern water-saving systems, which reflects the state’s commitment to achieving sustainable food security despite geopolitical and environmental challenges.
Farouk noted that it was the proactive vision of the political leadership that turned the crisis into an opportunity, as efforts to cleanse lakes and canals and develop waterways and irrigation proved effective in absorbing unregulated water flows during the past days after the recent events of the Renaissance Dam, which took place without notification or coordination.
Minister of Agriculture: President Sisi’s proactive vision contributed to transforming crises into great opportunities
The Minister of Agriculture revealed that the sector has achieved a leap in competitiveness, as the total Egyptian agricultural exports have reached about 7.5 million tons since the beginning of 2025, an increase of 650 thousand tons over the same period last year, overcoming the geopolitical challenges that imposed profound changes on global supply chains, pointing out that citrus fruits topped the list of exports with an amount exceeding 1.9 million tons, followed by potatoes.
He added that Egyptian agricultural exports have also witnessed diversification, including grapes, mangoes, tomatoes, and pomegranates. Exports of medicinal and aromatic plants alone represent 17% of total agricultural crop exports for the first time, explaining that the success extends to opening new export markets for Egyptian products, the most recent of which was South Africa for pomegranates, the Philippines for onions and garlic, Mexico for hibiscus, and Venezuela for citrus fruits.
Farouk pointed out the adoption of the “RORO” shipping line between Damietta and Trieste, which represents a “green corridor” for transporting agricultural crops, highly perishable vegetables, and manufactured products to Italy and from there to Europe, which reduces the costs and time of arrival of goods and supports Egypt’s position as a central logistics region, stressing that sustainable development requires concerted efforts between the state, the private sector, and civil society.
The Minister stressed that the state believes that the private sector is an essential partner in advancing agricultural investment, developing food industries and value-added chains, because of its vital role in reducing waste, maximizing economic returns, and creating job opportunities for youth. He pointed out that the Egyptian state places strengthening international cooperation in the field of agriculture and food as its top priority, through effective partnerships with international and regional organizations, to exchange experiences and modern technologies in the fields of smart agriculture and management. Water resources and confronting the effects of climate change.
Farouk pointed out that regional developments impose the necessity of stability, stressing that ending the war in Gaza would reflect positively on the stability of the region as a whole, open the way for the return of trade and supplies, and ease pressures on food and energy markets. He stressed that regional security and stability represent a fundamental pillar for ensuring the achievement of sustainable development and food security.
The Minister of Agriculture concluded his speech by emphasizing the state’s determination to continue the process of sustainable agricultural development, based on the vision of the political leadership that places agriculture at the heart of the strategy of building and investing in people.
