Egypt, WFP discuss strengthening cooperation in agriculture and food security

CAIRO – 12 December 2025: Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk met with Jean-Pierre de Margerie, the World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director in Egypt, to discuss enhancing cooperation and reviewing ongoing joint projects.

The meeting, attended by Dr. Saad Moussa, Vice President of the Agricultural Research Center and Supervisor of Foreign Agricultural Relations, reflected both sides’ commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the WFP. The aim is to support agricultural development and achieve sustainable food security, particularly amid current global challenges.

The discussions also addressed the renewal of the Luxor Coordination Center agreement. Jointly established by Egypt and the WFP, the center promotes resilience, innovation, and knowledge dissemination in Upper Egypt. Its objectives include advancing sustainable development, providing training for smallholder farmers, and supporting capacity-building programs for agricultural professionals in both Upper Egypt and Africa. This highlights Egypt’s ongoing role in promoting development across the African continent within the framework of South-South cooperation.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing the technical and logistical support provided by the WFP to smallholder farmers in rural communities. This support aims to increase productivity, improve incomes, and expand joint projects focused on helping agricultural communities adapt to the negative impacts of climate change while preserving natural resources. He also stressed the need to encourage smart and sustainable agricultural practices in line with Egypt’s development agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Farouk underscored the crucial role of the World Food Programme as a key partner in supporting national initiatives related to food security and nutrition. He expressed the Ministry’s eagerness to expand cooperation in areas such as capacity building and the adoption of modern agricultural technologies.

For his part, Jean-Pierre de Margerie expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s efforts in the agricultural sector and commended the significant progress made in recent years. He reaffirmed the WFP’s commitment to continuing its support for vulnerable communities in Egypt and expanding the scope of successful joint initiatives.