Egypt marked the 72nd anniversary of Eid al-Fallah (Farmers’ Day) on September 9, 2024, commemorating the issuance of the 1952 Agricultural Reform Law that redistributed land to farmers. Government officials, from the Prime Minister to local governors, praised farmers for their crucial role in achieving food security and supporting the national economy.Dr. Ali Abdelmohsen, Head of the Economic Affairs Sector at the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted that Egypt has achieved self-sufficiency in several important agricultural products, including rice, fresh dairy products, poultry meat, and various fruits and vegetables. The country is also approaching self-sufficiency in fish production.Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture, Alaa Farouk, announced the establishment of 193 agricultural guidance centers, with plans to expand to 350 centers nationwide. The ministry aims to create a total of 500 centers to develop marketing activities for various agricultural crops.The government has implemented several initiatives to support farmers, including:1. The ‘Decent Life’ initiative, aimed at improving rural living conditions.
2. Providing loans to farmers at a low 5% interest rate.
3. Implementing a crop insurance system and guaranteed crop prices.
4. Expanding cultivated land from 8.9 million feddans in 2014 to 10 million feddans in 2024.Large-scale expansion projects are underway, including the New Delta Project, the Million and a Half Feddans Project, and developments in Sinai and the Western Desert, aiming to increase the agricultural area to 3.5-4 million feddans.Despite these achievements, challenges remain, including water scarcity and climate change. The government emphasizes its commitment to supporting farmers through various means, including financial aid, technical support, and improved marketing capabilities.
Key points
- Egypt celebrates 72nd Farmers’ Day, commemorating the 1952 Agricultural Reform Law.
- The country has achieved self-sufficiency in several agricultural products and is approaching self-sufficiency in fish production.
- Government announces expansion of agricultural guidance centers and large-scale land reclamation projects.
- Challenges such as water scarcity and climate change persist, but the government remains committed to supporting farmers.
