Egypt, FAO sign two MoUs on South Sinai development, olive sector

Egypt and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) signed two memoranda of understanding to support agricultural and rural development in South Sinai and strengthen the country’s olive sector, the Agriculture Ministry said on Thursday.

The first agreement will support the launch of a master plan for agricultural and rural development in South Sinai Governorate, while the second provides a strategic framework for developing Egypt’s olive value chain, the ministry said.

“The South Sinai development project represents an important step towards empowering local communities, particularly young people and women, and creating more sustainable and dignified livelihoods,” Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister Alaa Farouk said.

Farouk said the olive sector framework would seek to address challenges in production, processing, and marketing as part of state efforts to improve productivity and strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian olives in domestic and international markets.

AbdulHakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director- General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, praised cooperation with the ministry and said the organisation would conduct a national assessment of Egypt’s olive value chain with local experts.

The assessment is intended to provide the Egyptian government with the data and studies needed to develop a strategy supporting sustainable growth and food security in the sector, he said.

By Ahmed Safwat
Amwal Al Ghad English — Internship Training Programme
Edited by Yomna Yasser