Egypt, EU discuss future of agricultural collaboration

Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, on Monday received Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, to discuss agricultural cooperation and EU-funded projects under the EU-Egypt Association Agreement.

Farouk emphasised the EU’s role as a key trade and development partner, noting ongoing collaboration on three major projects.

These include the EU-Zira3a 2020 Integrated Rural Development Programme, the CAFE project to support grain production in Egypt, and the allocation of €40 million to the Decent Life initiative to combat poverty in rural areas.

Eichhorst highlighted the EU’s interest in facilitating meat imports, promoting standards, and supporting agricultural co-operatives to enhance crop marketing and create jobs for youth and rural women. She also stressed a focus on aiding small-scale farmers in the Delta and Upper Egypt.

Since 2014, the EU has funded agricultural projects in Egypt worth €163 million, targeting areas such as institutional capacity building, irrigation improvements, livestock and fishery production, agricultural extension, and grain production.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama