Alaa Farouk, Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation met with India’s Ambassador in Cairo, Ajit Gupta, to discuss ways to strengthen agricultural co-operation between the two countries. The focus of the meeting was on aspects of developing agro-partnership between Egypt and India.

Minister Farouk emphasised the Egyptian leadership’s commitment to increase bilateral ties with India, especially in the application of advanced Indian agricultural technologies offering high quality and productive crop varieties. This is reported by Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS.

He noted the importance of expanding trade and investment, especially in the field of agricultural exports, including facilitating market access for key products such as high quality citrus fruits, grapes and mulberries, which are already exported abroad. Ambassador Gupta praised the already existing co-operation between Egypt and India, noting the strong political ties and joint trade and agricultural committees. He also spoke about Indian investment in Egypt in various sectors, including chemicals, energy – especially renewable energy – and food and seed companies. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the need to breed alternative crops such as millet, which can be mixed with wheat flour to make bread. This plant, which can grow on marginal lands, is currently being evaluated by the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture for its economic feasibility.

The importance of agro-processing was also discussed, as well as value chains in olive farming, which can bring significant economic benefits to farmers and can be successfully cultivated in Egypt.

Photo: Daily News Egypt