Egypt’s Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) has highlighted the government’s national plan to revitalize the country’s cotton sector and advance sustainable farming practices, underscoring efforts to restore the global prominence of Egyptian cotton — long celebrated as one of the finest natural fibers in the world.
The initiative was showcased during a visit to the Cotton Research Institute, where senior officials outlined a wide-ranging strategy aimed at increasing productivity, enhancing seed quality, and modernizing the entire cotton value chain — from cultivation to textile manufacturing.
Dr. Mostafa Amara, Deputy Director for Extension and Training and spokesperson for the Cotton Research Institute, said the national strategy is built around three main pillars: cultivation, marketing, and manufacturing.
Under the cultivation pillar, he explained, efforts are focused on developing new climate-resilient cotton varieties that can thrive in national land reclamation projects such as Toshka and East Oweinat, while adopting mechanized farming and advanced irrigation systems to boost efficiency. New legislation is also being prepared to regulate the planting of specific varieties in designated regions, ensuring genetic purity and preventing mechanical contamination.
The marketing pillar seeks to align local cotton prices with international benchmarks to protect farmers from market volatility and exploitation by middlemen.
Meanwhile, the manufacturing pillar forms the backbone of Egypt’s plan to strengthen its textile industry. This includes comprehensive upgrades to spinning and weaving factories — most notably the modernization of the Misr Spinning and Weaving Company in Mahalla al-Kubra — as well as the launch of the Mahalla (1) spinning factory and the automation of cotton ginning facilities. These reforms aim to ensure that Egypt exports more finished textiles rather than raw cotton, thereby maximizing added value across the production chain.
Dr. Amara noted that Egypt’s cotton development efforts are supported by international partnerships with organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), all contributing to the exchange of expertise and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
He revealed that more than **195,000 feddans** were cultivated with cotton this season — including 22,000 feddans in Upper Egypt and 173,000 in the Delta — describing the current season as one of the most successful in years. The crops, he said, were largely free from pest infestations thanks to proactive measures by the Ministry of Agriculture and the institute, which organized training programs to guide farmers on modern farming and pest management techniques.
Ten new cotton varieties have also been introduced this year, characterized by higher yields, early maturity, and up to 30% water savings.
According to Dr. Amara, expected production this season will range between one million and 1.4 million kantars, reflecting the tangible results of the government’s agricultural development policies.
Marking World Cotton Day, Dr. Amara congratulated cotton growers worldwide, noting that the industry supports nearly 24 million workers globally. He described cotton as “the fabric of life” that has sustained economies and civilizations throughout history.
Dr. Abir Samir, Deputy Director of the Cotton Research Institute and Coordinator of the Regenerative Agriculture Program, explained that sustainable agriculture rests on environmentally and socially responsible farming methods that ensure pesticide-free, eco-friendly crops while protecting natural resources.
She highlighted key initiatives spearheaded by the institute, including the “Better Cotton” program launched in 2019 — one of the most recognized global sustainability frameworks — and the “Real Cotton” initiative, introduced in partnership with the United Kingdom in 2020, to promote responsible farming and improve the quality of Egyptian cotton.
Dr. Samir announced that the Cotton Research Institute recently became the first institution in Africa and the Middle East to earn certification in regenerative agriculture, a milestone achievement reflecting Egypt’s leadership in sustainable cotton cultivation.
The program, she added, integrates best practices across soil management, pesticide reduction, water conservation, livestock care, and agricultural waste recycling — ensuring the long-term viability of Egypt’s cotton ecosystem.
Among the institute’s most promising varieties are Giza 94, Giza 96, and Giza 98 — the latter particularly suited to Upper Egypt’s climatic conditions. These new strains combine high productivity with lower input requirements, supporting Egypt’s broader goals of resource efficiency and sustainable growth.
Dr. Samir concluded that integrating sustainability into Egypt’s cotton sector will not only strengthen its global competitiveness but also reaffirm Egyptian cotton’s reputation as a symbol of quality, purity, and environmental responsibility.
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