The EU-KAFI Programme, in collaboration with the Italian Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), continues its efforts to enhance wheat productivity and support food security in Egypt. During a technical workshop on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), agricultural leaders from Sharqia, Beheira, Dakahlia, Gharbia, and Menoufia discussed key local challenges hindering productivity and proposed practical, implementable solutions.
In Sharqia, interventions are targeting soil salinity in northern districts such as Kafr Sakr, El Husseiniya, and San Al-Hagar, as identified by Eng. Emad Mohamed Gengen, Director of the Agricultural Directorate and Eng. Ashraf Salah, General Manager of Agricultural Extension, In the framework of EU-Kafi programme, actions are being taken to improve agricultural practices to cope with soil salinity.
In Beheira, Land fragmentation and the use of uncertified seeds remain major factors behind inconsistent yields. Eng. Hosny Mohamed Azam, Director of the Agricultural Directorate, and Eng. Ayman Ashor Ali, General Manager of Agricultural Extension, noted additional challenges, including water scarcity, rising input costs, and limited mechanization, particularly under climate pressures. To support farmers, the EU-KAFI Programme is establishing field schools and demonstration plots to promote improved practices and encourage farm aggregation.
In Dakahlia, wheat production competes heavily with other winter crops, particularly sugar beet, limiting available land. Eng. Mohamed Elsayed Ali, Director of the Agricultural Directorate, highlighted this challenge, while Eng. Mostafa Mohammadi Mohamed Elsayed, General Manager of Agricultural Extension, pointed to further obstacles such as land fragmentation and limited mechanization. In response, the EU-KAFI Programme is prioritizing crop planning and mechanization support for smallholders, while introducing comprehensive Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) protocols to ease the full spectrum of constraints on wheat production
In Gharbia, climate change is increasingly impacting wheat yields. Eng. Abdul-Salam Al-Baghdadi Mahmoud, Director of the Agricultural Directorate, noted farmers’ limited compliance with recommended cultivar distribution, while Eng. Hamada Samara Ammar, General Manager of Agricultural Extension, highlighted issues such as poor drainage, land fragmentation, and crop competition. The EU-KAFI programme is advancing solutions through Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), the introduction of high-performing wheat varieties, and supporting small and medium-scale farmers to improve water efficiency, enhance soil health, and adopt organic farming to sustain wheat production under climate stress.
In Menoufia, declining yields linked to climate change and poor adherence to cultivar recommendations remain a concern. In collaboration with Eng. Nasser Mohamed Abotaleb and Eng. Essam Atef Morsy, efforts are targeting fragmentation and low mechanization. To overcome
these constraints, the EU-KAFI programme is supporting wheat production through certified seeds, raised bed sowing, improved soil fertility, and modern mechanization for small and medium-scale farmers.
To transform these challenges into opportunities, the EU-KAFI programme, in collaboration with CREA and ARC, is developing a Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative to build the capacity of extension agents. The training covers seven key Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs): improved wheat varieties, balanced fertilization, integrated weed and pest management, water-saving irrigation, modern mechanization, and scalable extension methods. Through Egypt’s national extension system, over 400,000 small and medium-scale farmers across the Delta will benefit, helping to boost productivity, raise incomes, and strengthen Egypt’s overall food security and national economy.
