EU Ambassador Highlights Key Role in Supporting Egypt's Agricultural Development

Angelina Eichhorst, the European Union Ambassador to Egypt, emphasized the EU's pivotal role in supporting agricultural and rural development in Egypt, through over 15 projects, including the Caffè Program, implemented in collaboration with Italian cooperation. 

Eichhorst reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s efforts in ensuring sustainable food systems, high-quality food, and accessibility for all.

At the signing ceremony of a new protocol between the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the Agricultural Research Center in Egypt, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk expressed his confidence in the program's potential to strengthen crop production, especially wheat, as part of the broader EU-backed Caffè initiative.

Strengthening Partnerships for Agricultural Innovation

During the event, Michele Quaroni, the Italian Ambassador to Egypt, renewed Italy’s steadfast commitment to enhancing its partnership with Egypt in the agricultural and rural development sectors. He highlighted the alignment with Italy's Mattei Plan, a comprehensive strategy that aims to support Egypt’s sustainable agricultural development by fostering knowledge exchange, investing in innovation, and promoting sustainable farming practices. This initiative is crucial to driving inclusive growth and ensuring food security for the country.

Ambassador Quaroni stated, “Italy continues to back Egypt’s agricultural transformation through collaborative efforts that focus on sharing expertise, introducing advanced technologies, and promoting sustainable practices in agriculture.”

Focus on Wheat Production and Agricultural Innovation

Tiberio Chiari, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Cairo, also highlighted that the signed memorandum of understanding represents a critical milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the agency and Egypt’s Agricultural Research Center. This partnership aims to enhance Egypt’s wheat sector infrastructure by providing modern agricultural machinery, upgrading wheat breeding labs, and establishing seed production factories.

The partnership will also work toward modernizing the agricultural practices in Egypt, which is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the country's wheat supply—a vital crop for Egypt’s food security.

Shared Vision for Sustainable Agriculture

The Caffè Program, part of the EU’s broader strategy for agricultural and rural development in Egypt, focuses on sustainable practices that support local farmers and rural communities. With projects like these, the EU is playing a significant role in addressing the challenges of food security and agricultural productivity in Egypt, helping the country advance its sustainable development goals.

Minister Farouk emphasized that the collaboration with Italy and the EU aligns with Egypt’s ongoing efforts to modernize its agricultural infrastructure and improve production capabilities, making it an essential step toward a self-sufficient and food-secure future.