Egypt to establish new sugarcane seedling farm in Upper Egypt

The Upper Egypt Development Authority and Qena Governorate have signed a cooperation agreement to establish a new sugarcane seedling production farm in Al-Marashda, Qena, as announced in a Cabinet statement on Monday.

The project aligns with national goals to promote sustainable development in Upper Egypt and optimise the region’s agricultural potential, as highlighted in the statement.

Spanning 30 feddans, the farm aims to enhance agricultural development using modern technologies, improving both sugarcane productivity and quality. The project is expected to contribute to national efforts toward sugar self-sufficiency and more efficient water usage.

Through the project, the authority seeks to advance local agricultural technology by promoting innovative seedling cultivation systems that are designed to increase productivity and reduce water consumption compared to traditional methods.

Additionally, the project is intended to serve as a model for the private sector, with the potential to use the land for producing other types of agricultural seedlings.

With an annual production capacity of one million seedlings, the 30-feddan farm will be funded by the Upper Egypt Development Authority. It will employ modern irrigation techniques, such as a drip system, and offer farmers the option of installment payments for seedling costs over five years. This approach supports contract farming and helps alleviate financial burdens on farmers.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser