In El-Ghoreizat village in Egypt’s Sohag Governorate, an ambitious initiative is quietly taking root—one that could redefine the country’s approach to rural development, climate-smart agriculture, and women’s economic empowerment.
On Wednesday, Egypt’s General Directorate of Agriculture in Sohag, under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, hosted an expansive community meeting in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The event was held as part of the ongoing implementation of the Improving Smallholder Access to Market-Oriented Agriculture Project (I‑SMAP), a multi-year initiative that reflects a growing shift in Egypt’s agricultural policy—from subsistence to sustainability, and from production-driven to market-responsive farming.
The meeting was convened at the direction of Dr. Omar Safwat, Sohag’s Undersecretary for Agriculture, under the patronage of Governor Abdel Fattah Serag, and in coordination with Minister of Agriculture Alaa Farouk.
Reimagining Agriculture as a Market-Driven Enterprise
Launched in October 2023 and set to run through November 2027, I‑SMAP is designed to modernize Egypt’s smallholder farming systems by connecting rural producers with real market demand. The project’s core aim is to transform traditional agriculture into a business-oriented model—one capable of boosting farmer incomes, building climate resilience, and integrating marginalized groups, especially rural women, into the formal economy.
Wednesday’s gathering focused squarely on the economic and social empowerment of rural women—an often-overlooked demographic in Egypt’s agricultural value chain. Attendees discussed the strategic and market-oriented planning of women-led agribusiness projects, drawing on the latest findings from localized market research.
“The sustainability of rural economies depends on integrating women not just as laborers, but as economic agents with access to finance, training, and decision-making,” said a GAFI official present at the event.
Field Demonstrations: Sesame as a Strategic Crop
The conference transitioned from policy talk to field-based learning with an on-site agricultural seminar highlighting an ongoing pilot field demonstration of sesame cultivation, one of the project’s high-potential crops. The demonstration provided a hands-on view of how improved farming techniques and market alignment can raise both productivity and profitability.
Sesame—long a staple in Egyptian diets and exports—was selected for its resilience to arid conditions and its rising demand in domestic and international markets. Through this model, project leaders hope to replicate success across similar crops and communities.
A Roadmap for Inclusive Agricultural Development
I‑SMAP’s implementation strategy follows a multi-phase roadmap that begins with community orientation, followed by market studies, individualized economic planning, and technical training programs. These phases are supported by the deployment of demonstration farms and continuous field monitoring, spearheaded by Egypt’s Agricultural Extension Sector, which plays a critical role in knowledge dissemination and technical support.
Crucially, the project does not operate in isolation. It is part of a broader national vision to promote sustainable agriculture, improve rural livelihoods, and meet Egypt’s development goals, particularly those aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Broader Context: Japan’s Strategic Development Footprint in Egypt
JICA’s involvement underscores Japan’s increasingly strategic development footprint in Egypt, which blends infrastructure investment with human capital development. Through initiatives like I‑SMAP, Japan is positioning itself not only as a donor but as a long-term partner in Egypt’s transformation of its rural economy.
