Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Amin Abaza said the total area of agricultural development projects in Upper Egypt is about one million acres, adding that it is currently difficult to offer any new agricultural reclamation projects in Egypt's south within the government's reform plan if several projects have not yet been completed. He said that the project for 230,000 acres west of Kom Ombo will not start before the completion of the overall investment scheme studies of the region, pointing out that this was agreed between all competent parties, especially the ministries of agriculture, water resources and investment. Abaza said that only 50,000 acres will be offered in the coming stage, for which adequate irrigation water would be provided. He stressed the government's complete commitment to the instructions of President Mubarak to give the people of Aswan and Nubia land to cultivate, especially since the projects in Wadi Al-Naqra, Qena, West Morsheda, Toshka and East Owaynat need their investments, skills and expertise in reclamation and cultivation. The Minister of Agriculture said no part of the project west of Kom Ombo will be given to investors, especially as scientific studies proved that the areas suitable for cultivation within the project are limited, and the cost of pumping water to the land level of the project is high.
