Egypt Moves to Boost Wheat Production

The Egyptian government is stepping up efforts to boost domestic wheat production while maintaining stability in the local market, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen food security, a Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation spokesperson said on Sunday.

Spokesperson Khaled Gad said authorities are encouraging farmers to expand wheat cultivation through improved incentives and pricing policies, including higher local procurement prices designed to ensure fair returns and stimulate production.

He explained that the decision to raise procurement prices followed a detailed review of production costs, with the aim of motivating farmers to increase supply to the state.

According to the ministry, the current agricultural season has seen a significant expansion in wheat cultivation areas, increasing by around 500,000 feddans compared to last year.

The government is targeting the procurement of five million tons of wheat during the ongoing harvest season, reflecting its continued push to reduce reliance on imports and support domestic production.

Despite fluctuations in climate conditions, the spokesperson affirmed that crop yields have remained stable, attributing this to farmers’ adherence to technical guidance issued by the ministry.

Looking ahead, the Agriculture Ministry plans to introduce five new wheat varieties next year. These strains are designed to enhance resilience under challenging conditions, including high salinity and extreme temperatures, as part of efforts to expand cultivation into less favorable agricultural areas.