Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture, Alaa Farouk, met with Amb. Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, at the New Administrative Capital. The meeting brought together Mustafa Al-Sayyad, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, and focused on strengthening agricultural cooperation, particularly with a focus on empowering rural women.
Farouk underscored the European Union’s vital role in supporting Egypt’s agricultural sector, noting that the EU is a key partner in promoting sustainable development. The Minister emphasized that many ongoing projects directly benefit rural women by enhancing their participation in the agricultural value chain. In particular, the support for agricultural cooperatives, which are vital in marketing crops and creating economic opportunities, will be instrumental in offering jobs to rural women and fostering greater economic independence.
Amb. Eichhorst also highlighted the EU’s dedication to improving the lives of rural women, underscoring the importance of their involvement in agricultural cooperatives, which provide opportunities for financial empowerment and social mobility. EU’s ongoing initiatives aim to promote women’s leadership roles in agriculture, focusing on expanding their access to resources, training, and opportunities to lead in agricultural innovation.
Additionally, the EU is contributing €40 million to Egypt’s “Haya Karima” initiative, which focuses on reducing poverty in rural areas, where women are often disproportionately affected. This contribution supports the economic inclusion of women by enhancing their access to financial and technical resources.
Beyond empowering women, the EU is also supporting Egypt’s agricultural sector through significant investments in projects aimed at boosting food security, improving grain production, and enhancing rural livelihoods. Since 2014, the EU has invested approximately €163 million in agricultural initiatives, ranging from strengthening local agricultural associations to improving irrigation systems, livestock production, and fish farming.
This ongoing partnership reflects a strategic focus on empowering rural women, creating job opportunities, and fostering sustainable growth in Egypt’s agricultural sector.
