The Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), Hassan Abdalla, and Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk conducted a field tour on Sunday of several villages in Aswan Governorate benefiting from the Small Farmers Support Project, a joint initiative involving the Central Bank, the banking sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
The tour was attended by Aswan Governor Major General Ismail Kamal, WFP Egypt Country Director and Representative Rod Hlebey, along with senior officials from the Central Bank, commercial banks, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The project aims to integrate smallholder farmers into the formal financial system by providing tailored financial products and services, helping improve their economic and social conditions. It also promotes the efficient use of land and water resources, supports women’s economic empowerment, and strengthens financial literacy in rural communities.
During the visit, the delegation inspected a solar-powered irrigation station in Armana village and reviewed a pilot project for cultivating sugarcane seedlings using drip irrigation systems powered by solar energy in Eneiba village. The officials also met with project beneficiaries, visited agricultural fields and productive enterprises, and reviewed on-the-ground activities, including technical assistance, farmer training, improved agricultural inputs, and the adoption of sustainable farming practices aimed at boosting productivity and household incomes.
The tour also highlighted efforts led by the Central Bank and the banking sector to expand financial inclusion in Aswan’s rural villages. The officials attended training sessions for women producing handicrafts from palm waste, as well as food processing activities such as the production of energy balls and dates. The visit concluded with a tour of a women’s products exhibition, where the quality and craftsmanship of the goods were praised.
Abdalla said the projects witnessed on the ground reflect the positive impact of the Small Farmers Support Project and demonstrate effective coordination between the government, the banking sector, and international partners to achieve sustainable rural development. He stressed that the initiative aligns with the state’s strategy to support small farmers, expand financial inclusion, and improve living standards, particularly in Upper Egypt and the most vulnerable areas, while placing special emphasis on women’s economic empowerment.
Farouk emphasized that small farmers are the backbone of Egypt’s food security and a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural future. He noted that the ministry’s role focuses on providing technical support, modern agricultural extension services, and access to improved seeds and mechanization. He added that the ministry’s Executive Authority for Comprehensive Development Projects serves as the implementing arm, ensuring accurate beneficiary targeting, close supervision, and efficient use of resources.
For her part, WFP Egypt Country Director Rod Hlebey said the project represents a landmark model of cooperation, bringing together the Central Bank, the banking sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, WFP, and Aswan Governorate under a unified framework. She noted that the initiative introduces innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance and catalytic capital, to empower farmers economically and strengthen food security in line with Egypt Vision 2030.
The first phase of the project, implemented from January 2021 to June 2022, benefited around 85,000 smallholder farmers. It contributed to land development, the consolidation of agricultural holdings, and the introduction of modern irrigation and solar energy systems, resulting in a 34 percent increase in crop productivity, a 35 percent rise in returns, and a 37.5 percent reduction in operating costs.
The second phase, launched in January 2025 and running through December 2026, has a total budget of nearly EGP 120 million and targets 11 new villages. It expands the cultivation of strategic crops, including sugarcane, as well as export-oriented cash crops such as cantaloupe.
During 2025, the second phase benefited about 23,500 farmers, supported the development of 400 feddans of farmland, and saw the installation of 21 solar power stations with a combined capacity of nearly 1,000 kilowatts.
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