For bolstering rural development and empowering women in agriculture, Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, presided over the signing of a strategic cooperation protocol between the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) and Haya Karima Foundation. The agreement is aimed at transforming rural communities through sustainable agricultural practices, technical support, and inclusive economic empowerment initiatives.
The protocol, signed by Dr. Adel Abdel Azim, President of the Agricultural Research Center, and Buthaina Mostafa, Deputy Chairperson of the Haya Karima Foundation, underscores Egypt’s commitment to achieving inclusive rural development, in alignment with its Vision 2030 for Sustainable Development.
Public-Civil Alliance for Rural Resilience
At the signing ceremony, Minister Farouk highlighted the protocol as part of the Egyptian government’s broader strategy to stimulate rural economies, improve agricultural productivity, and enhance the livelihoods of farming communities — with a sharp focus on rural women’s empowerment.
“This partnership represents a pivotal step in our national agenda to create productive, resilient rural communities,” said Farouk. “Empowering rural women and equipping farmers with modern knowledge and tools are critical to ensuring food security and sustainable development across Egypt’s countryside.”
Farouk also praised the Haya Karima Foundation as a cornerstone of civil society’s contribution to national development, emphasizing its grassroots impact and vital role in the presidential initiative launched by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to uplift Egypt’s rural heartlands.
From Policy to Field Impact
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, the cooperation protocol is designed to launch a broad spectrum of rural development programs with tangible on-the-ground impact. Among the primary goals:
- Technical support and agricultural consultancy for farmers to adopt modern, efficient farming practices.
- Training and capacity building programs for youth and women in agriculture and food processing.
- Support for small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, with a focus on improving rural household income.
- Waste recycling initiatives and educational programs on sustainable practices in livestock and crop production.
- Nutritional awareness campaigns targeting children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups in orphanages, schools, and rural communities.
One of the key pillars of the protocol is economic empowerment of rural women, including microenterprise training and sustainable small projects such as rooftop gardening, home-based food production, and artisanal food processing. The program also aims to integrate recent graduates into the labor market by enhancing skills in agricultural technologies and agro-industries.
A Step Forward for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth
Deputy Chairperson Buthaina Mostafa affirmed that the agreement reflects a deep commitment to equipping farmers with the resources they need to thrive — not only to increase yields, but also to secure sustainable incomes and contribute meaningfully to Egypt’s rural economy.
“This protocol is not just about farming,” Mostafa explained. “It’s about community resilience, social equity, and empowering the most marginalized, especially women, to become engines of growth within their own villages.”
Toward Egypt’s Vision 2030: National and Grassroots in Harmony
The collaboration comes as part of Egypt’s ongoing effort to bridge the gap between government institutions and civil society in achieving its ambitious Vision 2030 goals — particularly those related to rural development, gender equality, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic diversification.
As Egypt faces the dual challenge of climate change and rapid population growth, such partnerships signal a critical shift toward knowledge-based agriculture, increased community participation, and sustainable resource management.
