As part of the EU–KAFI Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Cairo (AICS), a high-level delegation from Egypt’s Agricultural Research Center (ARC) carried out a five-day study visit to Italy, hosted by the Italian Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), a key partner of the programme.
The delegation included Dr. Ahmed Oddam, Head of the Services and Follow-up Sector at the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Dr. Hany Darwish, Director of the Agricultural Mechanization Sector at MoALR, Dr. Maher Abdelmoneim, Vice President of ARC, Dr. Alaaeldin Khalil, former Director of the Field Crops Research Institute, Dr. Mohamed Elkholy, Director of the Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute, along with Dr. Ahmed El-Kot, Agricultural Expert for AICS in the EU–KAFI Programme.
The visit began in Rome with an official meeting at CREA headquarters, where the delegation was welcomed by Prof. Andrea Rocchi, President of CREA, who underlined the importance of strengthening research cooperation between Egypt and Italy. Ms. Paola Fiore, Head of the International Relations Office at CREA, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the council’s role in agricultural research—covering plants, animals, mechanization, and environmental studies while emphasizing CREA’s commitment to international partnerships.
During the mission, the delegation visited CREA’s Research Center for Engineering and Food Processing in Monterotondo to learn about advanced mechanization and wheat harvesting technologies. In Foggia, they toured Barilla’s pasta production facilities and explored the strategic role of durum wheat in Italy’s food value chain. They also visited Casillo Group mills in Puglia, gaining insights into state-of-the-art milling technologies and sustainable supply chain practices.
At CREA–CI, Italy’s leading public research center specializing in cereals and industrial crops, the delegation attended sessions on plant breeding programs and technological innovations aimed at improving wheat productivity and resilience. In Bari, the delegation participated in the Agrilevante 2025 exhibition—one of the Mediterranean region’s most significant agricultural fairs—where they engaged with exhibitors, institutions, and experts on the latest agricultural machinery, renewable energy solutions, and agricultural innovations. Within the exhibition, a joint workshop was held with CREA researchers and the EU–KAFI team to present the programme’s activities in enhancing wheat production, reducing post-harvest losses, and contributing to Egypt’s food security.
The visit concluded in Puglia with a cultural and technical tour of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by an exchange with experts at the CRSFA Basile Caramia Research and Training Center on plant propagation, genetic resource conservation, agricultural environmental analysis, and farmer training.
This study visit provided Egyptian researchers with a valuable opportunity to gain first-hand insights into Italy’s experience in linking scientific research with innovation and rural development an important step towards supporting sustainable agriculture and strengthening food security in Egypt.
