Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister Amin Abaza issued a decree banning the cultivation of some classes of US cotton. He also pointed out it would be possible to cultivate only the classes of cotton specified by the ministry for the 2009 season nationwide. According to this new decree, Giza 88 cotton will be cultivated in the provinces of Fuwa, Matubis and Sidi Salem (governorate of Kafr Sheikh) as well as el-Rahmaniya, Shabrakheet, Etay el-Barud, el-Dalnagat, Kom Hamada, Demanhour, Housh Eissa, el-Mahmoudiya and Abou Hoummus (governorate of Giza). The decree also specifies that Giza 86 cotton will be cultivated in the rest of Kafr el-Sheikh, in the provinces of Aboul Matameer, Ganaklees, Kafr el-Dawwar, Edco and Rosetta (Giza), and in the governorates of Dakahlia, Gharbia, Sharkia, Ismailia, Port Said, Alexandria, Menoufia, Noubaria and Damietta. In the province of Kafr Saad, though, farmers will have to cultivate Giza 70 and 92 cotton. Giza 80 cotton will be cultivated in the governorates of Beni Suef and Menia, while the Giza 90 class will be sowed in the governorates of Fayoum, Assiut and Sohag as well as the arable areas in the New Valley and Qena. The decree also stresses that it is not possible to plant any class other than the ones specified by the ministry. Official sources at the ministry expected cotton marketing to face many difficulties this year due to the global financial crisis and private companies' lack of liquidity when it comes to buying. The sources added that this threatens cotton cultivation over the next few years and said it is necessary to carry out a strategic integrated study on cotton until the entire crop is merchandised.
