Attendees included Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Dr. Hany Sweilem, Supply Minister Dr. Sherif Farouk, and Bahaa El-Ghanam, head of Egypt's Future Sustainable Development Agency, alongside other senior ministry leaders.
Discussions focused on boosting the cultivation of sugarcane
and sugar beet to increase domestic sugar output. The officials reviewed
challenges facing sugarcane farming in Egypt, emphasizing the need for
innovative solutions to ensure the crop's sustainability and improve its
productivity.
They also discussed the development of agricultural policies
aimed at maximizing returns from land and water resources and bolstering food
security. Plans for expanding mechanized sugar beet cultivation in new land
areas were also on the agenda.
A consensus was reached on initiatives to increase crop
yields for both sugarcane and sugar beet, enhance water resource efficiency,
and incorporate water footprint considerations when planning crop patterns
nationwide. These measures are designed to maximize economic returns per unit
of water, preserve water quality, and align with a broader vision to achieve sugar
self-sufficiency and narrow the import gap, thereby strengthening food security
and sustainable development.
Further agreements included the implementation of modern agricultural practices, laser leveling, and farmer incentive policies. The future adoption of modernized irrigation systems in Upper Egypt's sugarcane farms was also endorsed, expected to reduce water consumption and boost productivity per feddan. These efforts reflect Egypt's commitment to sound water management, optimal land and water utilization, increasing farmer incomes, and minimizing crop losses.