Egypt's Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk met on Wednesday with Naoufel Telahigue, head of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)'s Multi-Country Office for North Africa and Eastern Europe, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in supporting small farmers and promoting rural development. During the meeting, Minister Farouk emphasised the strong and longstanding partnership between Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture and IFAD. He highlighted the successful implementation of key projects aimed at empowering small farmers and strengthening rural communities. These projects include skill development programs designed specifically for rural women, helping them contribute effectively to the agricultural sector. The discussions also covered strategies for expanding agricultural investments and attracting greater private sector participation. Additionally, both parties explored ways to provide concessional financing for small-scale farming projects, ensuring better financial support for farmers to enhance productivity and sustainability. Furthermore, the meeting addressed IFAD's latest recommendations from its 48th Governing Council meeting in Rome, with a focus on aligning future projects with these insights. The two sides also explored potential collaboration through Egyptian model farms in Africa, with an initial focus on Uganda and Zambia. These farms aim to transfer Egyptian agricultural expertise to African nations, enhancing productivity and fostering regional agricultural development. As a key outcome of the meeting, both parties agreed to organise a workshop involving private sector stakeholders. This workshop will focus on developing effective support mechanisms for small farmers and promoting the growth of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises. By engaging the private sector, the initiative seeks to create a more sustainable and inclusive agricultural ecosystem that benefits small-scale farmers and enhances food security. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
