The Ministries of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Local Development and Environment, Social Solidarity, Industry, and Planning and Economic Development have held an expanded coordination meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation to review implementation plans and phased objectives of the “Productive Village” initiative.
The initiative seeks to transform Egyptian villages into sustainable production units that support the national economy and generate employment opportunities for rural youth and women.
Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk, Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad, Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsi, Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Eng Mustafa El-Sayyad, officials from the five ministries, and Assistant Minister of Planning and Economic Development for Plan Follow-up Gamil Helmy attended the meeting.
Participants reviewed the initiative’s integrated axes, which combine strategic planning, agricultural development, social empowerment, and industrial advancement at village level.
Discussions also focused on defining inter-ministerial responsibilities to avoid overlap, strengthening coordination mechanisms, and expanding private sector participation as a key development partner, alongside incentives to attract investment to rural areas.
The meeting further addressed technical and logistical support for micro and small enterprises.Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk stated that the initiative reflects the state’s vision for comprehensive sustainable development and for shifting rural Egypt from a consumption-based to a production and export-oriented economy.
He noted that his Ministry has completed an inventory of underutilised assets across governorates to be repurposed into productive and industrial processing centres.
He also emphasised leveraging each village’s comparative agricultural advantages, supported by research and extension services, improved seeds, modern irrigation, and livestock development.
Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad reviewed preparatory studies with governorates, including mapping comparative advantages, listing ongoing projects, and repurposing unused facilities within “Decent Life” villages.
She highlighted funding under Chapter Six of the Local Economic Development Programme and coordination with Planning to introduce performance-based incentives and develop economic clusters linked to value chains.
Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsi highlighted a pilot project through the Rural Industries Support Fund, noting that nearly 2,000 women in Fayoum have been employed in a garment factory exporting its products.
She stressed the fund’s role in economic empowerment and sustainable income generation.
