Egypt signs pact to support small farmers, expand wheat cultivation

Egypt’s ministries of Social Solidarity and Agriculture signed on Wednesday a cooperation protocol to support smallholder farmers under a state-backed initiative aimed at boosting food security and protecting vulnerable families.

The deal supports the Izraa (plant) Initiative, launched by the National Alliance for Civil Development Work and implemented by the Coptic Evangelical Organisation for Social Services. It aims to assist poor farmers, including those benefiting from Egypt’s Takaful and Karama conditional cash support programme, which covers 18 per cent of the initiative’s participants.

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Agriculture will provide wheat seeds sufficient for 117,650 feddans. Small farmers will pay half the seed cost, with the remaining covered by the Fund for Supporting Rural and Environmental Industries.

“The initiative aims to enhance social protection, improve livelihoods, and support local wheat cultivation,” Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsy said after the signing.

Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk said the partnership reflects growing alignment between the two ministries, emphasising their shared goal of shielding small farmers from poverty and increasing productivity. He added that the ministry will also provide technical assistance and agricultural guidance.

Cotton farmers support 

Minister Farouk said the programme may be expanded to include cotton farmers this season. The government plans to offer support through guaranteed prices and technical training to encourage wider cotton cultivation.

Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, has sought to reduce its reliance on foreign grain supplies by encouraging local production and strengthening rural development as part of its broader food security strategy.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser