Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk has reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to expanding domestic potato seed production, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening partnerships with the private sector.
He said these efforts would support small farmers, boost agricultural productivity and enhance Egypt’s food security.
The minister made the remark during a meeting on Monday with representatives of the Arab Alliance for Potato Seed Production, business leaders, investors and officials from PepsiCo to discuss ways to increase local potato seed production and integrate small farmers into modern production and supply chains, according to a ministry press release.
During the meeting, the minister highlighted the strategic importance of localising seed production, describing the Arab Alliance for Potato Seed Production as a successful partnership between the Agricultural Research Centre and the private sector since its launch in 2024.
He noted that the alliance aims to produce around 70 per cent of the potato seeds required for Egypt’s summer crop locally.
The meeting reviewed the alliance’s significant progress in potato seed production, its growing international reputation and rising global demand for Egyptian potatoes.
Discussions also explored future co-operation with PepsiCo to provide small farmers with certified, high-yield seed potatoes, enabling them to improve productivity, increase their incomes and strengthen their integration into agricultural value chains, while supplying the domestic food industry with high-quality agricultural raw materials.
Farouk stressed that the government has taken decisive steps to improve the investment climate, particularly in the agricultural sector, reaffirming that the private sector remains a key partner in achieving sustainable development.
The ministry continues to support investment through scientific research, innovation and the development of a competitive agricultural environment that maximises resource efficiency, expands export opportunities and contributes to the growth of the national economy, he added
