Cairo: The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation in Egypt recently hosted a delegation from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to evaluate the progress of the Sustainable Agricultural Transformation for Resilience (STAR) project. This visit was part of a technical support mission led by Minister Alaa Farouk and Deputy Minister Mostafa el Sayyad.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the IFAD delegation, headed by the country director, engaged in discussions with Alaa Azzouz, the head of the agricultural guidance sector and national coordinator of the STAR project, and Hany Abdel Atti Darwish, the executive director of the project. The primary focus of these discussions was to assess the project’s implementation progress, evaluate performance rates, and identify methods to enhance execution efficiency in the near future.

The discussions emphasized the importance of accelerating the STAR project’s activities in the governorates of Minya, Assiut, and Sohag. The aim is to support smallholder farmers by increasing the use of modern irrigation systems, improving crop and livestock production, and promoting efficient use of natural resources.

Further talks explored ways to develop agricultural value chains and expand access to concessional financing. This would enable farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices, thereby increasing productivity and improving income levels.

Empowering rural women and youth was highlighted as essential for achieving sustainable development in rural communities. Enhancing their participation in agricultural and economic activities is seen as crucial to the project’s success.

The meeting also stressed the role of agricultural guidance services in knowledge transfer and technology dissemination through training programs and field activities. These efforts are aimed at improving farmers’ skills and maximizing the project’s impact.

The STAR project aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to transition towards sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural systems. It supports food security, improves living standards, and advances comprehensive development efforts, particularly in Upper Egypt.