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Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture, Alaa Farouk, recently held key meetings with his counterparts from Senegal and Somalia on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on Agricultural Development in Kampala, Uganda. The discussions aimed to strengthen agricultural cooperation, promote sustainable farming practices, and enhance trade partnerships among the nations involved.
Minister Farouk met with Senegalese Minister of Agriculture Mabouba Diagne, where both leaders emphasized the deep historical ties between their countries. They discussed expanding collaboration in agricultural development, focusing on seed production and crop yield improvement. Senegal specifically sought Egypt’s support in developing high-yield crops such as wheat, maize, and rice to boost food security and productivity in the region. The two ministers explored joint projects, including the establishment of grain storage facilities and increased fertilizer imports, leveraging a strategic partnership with the African Development Bank to finance these initiatives.
In a separate meeting with Somali Minister of Agriculture Mohamed Abdi Hayir, Farouk outlined Egypt’s plans to provide technical expertise and knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at improving Somalia’s agricultural productivity. Egypt committed to sharing its advanced practices in water resource management, pest control strategies, and sustainable crop development. The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture also announced plans to send a delegation of agricultural experts to Somalia to provide technical support and conduct specialized training programs for local farmers.
Trade facilitation in agricultural goods was a central theme of the discussions with both Senegal and Somalia. The countries explored strategies for simplifying cross-border trade processes, improving infrastructure for agricultural exports, and fostering stronger economic ties within the African continent. These partnerships aim to ensure food security while promoting self-sufficiency across the region.
The AU summit provided a platform for Egypt to reaffirm its commitment to regional cooperation in agricultural development. Minister Farouk highlighted Egypt’s long-standing expertise in agricultural innovation, citing advancements in irrigation techniques and pest management as key solutions that could benefit other African nations. He also stressed the importance of knowledge-sharing and capacity-building to drive collective progress across the continent.
The meetings mark a strategic move by Egypt to position itself as a leading agricultural partner within Africa. By deepening ties with Senegal and Somalia, Egypt aims to expand its influence in the agricultural sector while contributing to the broader goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which focuses on sustainable development and poverty reduction through regional collaboration.
Senegal and Somalia both stand to gain significant benefits from this cooperation, including increased access to modern farming techniques, improved infrastructure, and greater agricultural resilience in the face of climate change challenges. Collaborative projects such as joint seed production and grain storage initiatives could play a transformative role in addressing food shortages and boosting local economies.
Egypt’s proactive role in fostering these partnerships underscores its broader foreign policy objectives of strengthening intra-African relations and promoting economic self-reliance across the continent. As the partnerships progress, further technical exchanges and collaborative agricultural ventures are expected to solidify these ties and create long-term mutual benefits.