WFP representative praises Egypt focus on food security

CAIRO - 21 May 2026: World Food Programme (WFP) Egypt Director Rod el-Halabi praised Egyptian efforts to mitigate the Middle East war’s impact on citizens, commending the government's focus on food security amid global challenges.

In an interview with Youm7 during a United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) meeting highlighting UN programs in Egypt, el-Halabi emphasized sustainable smart agriculture programs implemented in coordination with the WFP.

The meeting included participation from the WFP, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Egypt is one of the world's largest fertilizer exporters, el-Halabi said, noting that the WFP works closely with the Egyptian government to reach the most vulnerable groups, including refugees.

She added that the program enhances responses to sustainable projects, targeting 120 villages within the "Decent Life" (Haya Karima) initiative, while praising Egypt’s social solidarity programs.

The WFP has successfully reached 55,000 feddans (23,100 hectares) and worked with 750,000 farmers to introduce smart agricultural practices, el-Halabi explained.

Solar energy was utilized to provide water sustainably, which increased crop productivity by 35% and boosted farmer incomes by 25%.

El-Halabi also pointed to the "Nabatak" application, an early warning system that alerts farmers to expected climate changes. The app is one of the projects relying on artificial intelligence technologies to support the agricultural sector and improve production efficiency.

Supply Minister Sherif Farouk Said on Tuesday during a crisis management committee meeting that Egypt has secured an "unprecedented strategic reserve" of basic commodities, with stockpiles of some essential goods lasting over a year.