EGYPT – Egypt plans to plant 3.5 million feddans (1.47 million hectares) of wheat in the upcoming fiscal year 2024/2025, marking an increase from the 3.2 million feddans cultivated in the current fiscal year.
This ambitious goal is part of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s broader initiative to expand the nation’s agricultural land through a comprehensive land reclamation program.
Announcing the initiative on Wednesday, President El-Sisi emphasized that the land reclamation program targets a total of approximately 3.5 million feddans, a substantial expansion equivalent to nearly one-third of Egypt’s existing agricultural land.
The program includes major projects such as the New Delta (2.2 million feddans), Toshka (1.5 million feddans), and Middle Sinai (460,000 feddans), which have remained unimplemented for the past 40 years.
He highlighted the challenges and significant investments required for these projects. “This is not a simple project,” he stated, noting the considerable time, effort, and financial resources needed to reclaim the 3.5 million feddans.
On his part, Egypt’s planning minister said that reaching the target would expand wheat storage capacity to 5.2 million tonnes, compared to approximately 3.9 million tonnes of wheat in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
He added that Egypt’s plans for strategic crops for the next fiscal year also include 2.8 million feddans of corn and 220,000 feddans of fava beans.
Egypt wants to reduce imports by increasing agricultural land by 750,000 feddans, bringing the total agricultural area to 10.7 million feddans.
The projected target comes as Egypt’s agricultural sector recorded a remarkable 25% increase in export volume in 2023, reflecting its growing efficiency and international reach.
This figure marks a significant increase from the 6 million tonnes exported the previous year, setting a new record for the country.
The export surge in 2023 has translated into substantial financial gains for Egypt’s agricultural sector. Export revenues reached a staggering US$8.8 billion, with horticultural products contributing significantly, particularly oranges and strawberries.
These products accounted for 42% of the total revenue, equivalent to US$3.7 billion, while the remaining revenue largely came from processed agricultural products. This financial success further solidifies the sector’s role in Egypt’s economic development.
The success of Egypt’s agricultural sector in 2023 can be largely attributed to the proactive efforts of the Egyptian government.
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