Egypt is targeting total investments of EGP 144.8bn ($3bn) for the agriculture and irrigation sectors in its plan for the fiscal year (FY) 2025/26, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation announced on Sunday.
The plan, which was detailed in a ministry report, allocates EGP 17.5bn in public investments and EGP 127.4bn in private investments to the sectors.
Planning and International Cooperation Minister Rania Al-Mashat highlighted the dual economic importance of agriculture and irrigation as foundational pillars for national food and water security, as well as for enhancing the country’s industrial capacity.
The plan for FY 2025/26 aims for the sector’s total production to reach approximately EGP 3.7trn, up from an estimated EGP 3.3trn in FY 2024/25. It targets an agricultural product value of about EGP 2.6trn in FY 2025/26.
Key priorities for agricultural investment and development include continuing the expansion of land reclamation in areas such as Toshka, North and Central Sinai, and the New Delta. The plan also calls for improving crop yield per feddan by 10-15% through more efficient land and water use, developing and modernising field irrigation systems, and expanding greenhouse projects.
Other priorities include expanding contract farming to include crops like yellow corn, cotton, and oilseeds, and continuing programmes for the production of selected seeds to reduce reliance on imports. The plan also aims to expand the country’s wheat silo storage capacity to about 5.5 million tons and increase the total cropped area to exceed 21 million feddans.
In livestock development, the plan targets an increase of one million head during FY 2025/26 and aims to achieve self-sufficiency in white meat and fish, while increasing red meat self-sufficiency to 60%. The ministry also aims to expand the export of surplus agricultural products, such as vegetables and fruits, to exceed $5bn in value.
Complementing these agricultural efforts, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation’s plan aims to develop water resources and increase their use efficiency by expanding canal rehabilitation and lining projects, transitioning to modern field irrigation systems, and building dams and reservoirs to hold floodwater. A key project is the completion of the New Deirout Barrage, which is set to improve irrigation for 1.6 million feddans in Upper Egypt.
