Cairo: Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouq held a meeting with his Sudanese counterpart Ismat Qureshi to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector, with a focus on achieving effective regional integration in support of both countries' food security strategies.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the two sides explored opportunities for joint agricultural investment and the establishment of developmental projects that capitalize on the available resources in both countries. The discussions also covered enhancing cooperation in agricultural research and knowledge exchange between specialized research centers.
The ministers reviewed mechanisms to support Sudanese agricultural laboratories by providing modern technologies and transferring Egyptian technical expertise to improve their operational capacity. The meeting further addressed capacity building through increased training opportunities for Sudanese specialists at the International Agricultural Center affiliated with Egypt's Foreign Agricultural Relations Department. The aim is to develop skills in the latest agricultural practices and technologies.
Both ministers discussed means of enhancing trade in agricultural and food products by overcoming logistical obstacles and exploring prospects for joint agro-industrial projects to increase the added value of agricultural output. Farouq highlighted the historical relations between Egypt and Sudan, saying that agricultural integration forms a cornerstone of regional food security and represents a model for productive cooperation in Africa.
He reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to providing technical assistance and facilitating the exchange of expertise, particularly in joint investment and the application of advanced technologies to raise productivity and optimize resource use. For his part, Qureshi stressed the importance of deepening partnership with Egypt, describing the meeting as a significant boost to bilateral agricultural ties. He expressed appreciation for Egypt's support to African nations, especially Sudan, in areas such as laboratory development and training agricultural personnel in modern practices.
He also stressed the importance of enhancing trade and opening markets for agricultural commodities as a critical step toward sustainable development. At the conclusion of the meeting, the two ministers agreed to establish a joint technical committee and assign focal points to ensure regular follow-up and implementation of the agreed outcomes, translating them into concrete results that serve the interests of both nations.