Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, met with Mohamed El Sewedy, chairperson of the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI), to discuss ways to strengthen coordination and cooperation in agro-industrial processing, increase the added value of agricultural products and expand productive village models in rural areas.
The meeting was attended by Mostafa El Sayad, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, senior ministry officials and FEI representatives. It was held as part of the state’s efforts to integrate public- and private-sector initiatives to achieve sustainable development in rural Egypt.
Discussions focused on expanding the Productive Village Initiative and making better use of underutilised assets across villages and governorates by transforming them into manufacturing-based economic entities that support the national economy and stimulate economic activity in rural areas.
Farouk stressed the importance of expanding investment in food industries and agro-processing to create new job opportunities for young graduates and support the economic empowerment of rural women. These efforts would help raise living standards and increase the incomes of farmers and their families.
He explained that the ministry aims to strengthen links between smallholder farmers and major markets and retail chains in the coming period, ensuring that their products are marketed at fair prices and directly benefiting rural households. He added that the state would provide further facilities and incentives to serious investors in agro-industrial processing, helping reduce crop losses and boost Egyptian exports.
Farouk also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to removing obstacles to agricultural investment and creating a favourable environment for the private sector to develop agricultural supply and value chains.
For his part, El Sewedy said the FEI was ready to mobilise its capabilities and technical expertise to operate small and medium-sized industrial complexes in productive villages. He also highlighted the federation’s readiness to provide specialised training programmes to equip rural residents with modern manufacturing, filling and packaging techniques that meet export standards.