Farouk stated that the Board of Directors of the National Veal Revival Project recently approved EGP 275,885,000 in new funding for 393 beneficiaries, including small breeders and young graduates, totaling 3,929 heads of cattle. This brings the total funding for the project to date to more than EGP 9.565 billion, benefiting approximately 44,800 beneficiaries, to raise and fatten more than 518,000 heads of cattle, both beef calves and high-yielding dairy heifers, to provide more meat and milk.
He pointed out that this comes within the framework of the "Decent Life" presidential initiative launched by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to develop the Egyptian countryside and raise the living standards of small farmers and breeders. He emphasized the importance of this project in contributing to the availability of red meat in the market at a fair and affordable price for both producer and consumer, as well as balancing prices in the markets, whether for live livestock or red meat and dairy.
The Minister of Agriculture explained that field follow-up is being conducted by specialized committees formed by the Livestock and Poultry Development Sector and the General Authority for Veterinary Services, in coordination with the Directorates of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine across the country's governorates. This is to provide all forms of veterinary and health support and care, and to study any problems facing beneficiaries on the ground and work to address them as soon as possible.
Engineer Moustafa Al-Sayyad, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, confirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture and the financing bank (the Agricultural Bank of Egypt or the National Bank of Egypt) are inspecting the beneficiaries' pens to ensure they have a suitable location and sufficient space for breeding and shelter before approving financing. He noted that upon receipt of the animals, the beneficiaries are insured with the Animal Wealth Insurance Fund at a reduced rate, allowing them to benefit from the services the Fund provides to breeders. This is part of the ongoing support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Dr. Tarek Soliman, Head of the Livestock and Poultry Development Sector, stated that beneficiaries can benefit from the National Veal Project by applying to the nearest Agricultural Administration or branch of the Agricultural Bank of Egypt or the National Bank of Egypt, located across the governorates and districts of the country, or by contacting the Livestock and Poultry Development Sector.