Egypt seeks stronger agricultural ties with Namibia

Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture Alaa Farouk held a high-level meeting on Tuesday with a Namibian parliamentary delegation to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in agriculture.

The delegation, led by Paulus N. Mbangu, Chair of Namibia’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, explored various collaboration opportunities aimed at advancing agricultural productivity and sustainability in both countries.

Key areas of discussion included the exchange of expertise, the development of seed production systems, and strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture. Additionally, the two sides discussed enhancing livestock breeding and fostering agro-industrial development to improve the overall agricultural value chain.

Minister Farouk emphasised Egypt’s commitment to supporting the partnership, highlighting the country’s research centres and agricultural departments as vital resources for advancing collaborative efforts. “We are fully ready to support Namibia through our established infrastructure, ensuring that both nations benefit from this partnership,” Minister Farouk said.

One of the key points raised during the meeting was the potential for training Namibian agricultural specialists at Egypt’s International Centre for Agriculture, part of the Ministry’s Foreign Agricultural Relations department. Minister Farouk also pointed to Egypt’s growing agricultural sector, which has seen significant reforms to boost investment and create a more favorable business climate.

The two parties agreed to establish technical committees to draft a detailed cooperation plan and prepare a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise the collaboration. The MoU will include clear timelines and action plans, with the Foreign Agricultural Relations department overseeing coordination.

This new partnership reflects both nations’ commitment to fostering stronger ties in agriculture, while also addressing key challenges like climate change and food security.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English