Egypt's Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk met with the Netherlands' Agricultural Counsellor in Cairo Tycho Vermeulen to explore opportunities for enhanced agricultural cooperation between the two countries, as per a Cabinet statement on Wednesday. The meeting focused on key areas of mutual interest, including water resources management, the use of modern agricultural technologies to boost productivity, and increasing yields of high-value crops. Discussions also covered prospects for joint investment in various agricultural projects, expanding trade in agricultural goods and ornamental flowers, and supporting small-scale farmers through financing initiatives. Vermeulen revealed that proposals are currently being prepared to fund four major agricultural projects through a Dutch government grant. These include initiatives to improve water use efficiency via agricultural extension services, consolidate land holdings, develop value chains to help small and medium enterprises market their products, and produce potato seed locally. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
