Egypt signs 25-year deal to continue hosting WorldFish regional hub

Egypt signed on Thursday a 25-year agreement to continue hosting WorldFish’s regional research and training centre in Al-Abasa, Sharqia, aiming to expand aquaculture production, strengthen food security, and attract domestic and foreign investment in the sector.

WorldFish, also known as the International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), is an international, nonprofit research organisation that harnesses the potential of fisheries and aquaculture to reduce hunger and poverty.

The agreement renews Egypt’s hosting of the WorldFish’s regional centre for an additional 25 years, following the expiry of the original contract signed in 1997.

Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk signed the deal with Essam Yassin, WorldFish’s Director General, in the presence of Board Chair Alyssa Jade McDonald-Baertl and senior officials from the ministry and the Centre’s board of trustees.

The Centre has advanced Nile tilapia genetics, increased farm productivity, and trained – in cooperation with the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA) – over 5,200 local farmers and 1,050 international trainees from 115 countries, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement. It has also pioneered intensive fish farming in flowing water systems, doubling output while saving roughly 50 per cent of water usage.

Future plans include expanding tilapia breeding programmes, introducing local feed alternatives to reduce costs, promoting water-saving and renewable energy technologies, and preparing farms to meet export standards, creating a more sustainable and profitable aquaculture sector.

Minister Farouk highlighted the government’s push to increase Egyptian and foreign investment, develop a clear sector growth plan, and improve producer capacity to obtain quality certifications for international markets.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English