Egypt's farmers have been suffering from many problems for long years. The biggest problem is with fertilisers, followed by low crop yields, difficulty registering land and construction on agricultural land. The way forwards is for certain articles in the Agricultural Reform Law to be amended. Since the January 25 Revolution, the prevalent lawlessness has been responsible for more than 400,000 encroachments on agricultural land. “Agricultural associations are now working with the local councils and governorate officials to protect agricultural land, in co-ordination with the security authorities," says Zakaria Helal, the head of the Agricultural Reform Authority. He explains that these agricultural associations also offer the farmers social, cultural and religious services. There are about 7,000 associations involved in agricultural reform in Egypt and preventing encroachments on agricultural land. “The Ministry of Agriculture's so-called ‘agricultural reform' only extended as far as helping the rich," adds Helal. “As for fertilisers, the Agricultural Reform Authority has adequate quantities in its stores, but still the farmers are suffering from a lack of fertilisers. “To solve this problem, the Ministry of Agriculture has licensed seven investment companies to build new fertiliser factories. “But the investors export the fertilisers for double the price to other countries. The owners of these factories should provide the local farmers with the fertilisers they need. “The local associations have many projects for boosting crop yields, as well as boosting production of meat, eggs and other things. “The Agricultural Reform Authority intends to launch further procedures to revive the agricultural sector, and this requires the Ministry of Agriculture co-operating with the ministries of finance, production, industry and trade and supply. “At the same time, the next Government should mete out strict punishments on people who illegally build on agricultural land."
