Egypt, EU launch €24mln rural development project

Egypt’s Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk has attended the inaugural technical meeting of the committee tasked with the Integrated Rural Development Project, a partnership with the EU implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Cairo, according to an official report.

The €24 million EU-funded grant aims to improve small-scale farmers’ livelihoods in Sohag, Assiut, and Beni Suef governorates by enhancing agricultural extension services, livestock production, plant health, and on-farm irrigation systems.

Farouk described the project as a pivotal step towards sustainable development in Upper Egypt, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and efforts to promote social equity and improve the quality of life in rural communities. He stressed the importance of empowering rural youth and women by facilitating access to training, technical support, and finance.

The minister also highlighted the role of agricultural cooperatives and value chains in increasing productivity, income, and competitiveness of Egyptian products, while reducing post-harvest losses.

EU Ambassador to Egypt Angelene Eichhorst reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to Egypt as a strategic partner, expressing the EU’s readiness to support rural development and agricultural innovation.

Italian Ambassador Michele Quaroni praised the joint efforts and invited Farouk to lead a technical delegation to Italy to learn from the country’s cooperative model as Egypt modernises its system, the statement added.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
Subediting: M. S. Salama