Egypt Daily News – On Wednesday, President El-Sisi inaugurated the wheat harvest season at the “Future of Egypt” agricultural development project in the Dabaa region. This initiative, one of Egypt’s most significant national megaprojects, is aimed at achieving food security, expanding arable land, and supporting sustainable development.
During his visit, President El-Sisi reaffirmed the state’s strategy to connect the New Valley Governorate with comprehensive government services. He urged the governor to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects with the highest quality standards. He also inaugurated, via video conference, the New Valley’s new smart government services complex, further reflecting Egypt’s commitment to digitizing public services and improving infrastructure across all regions.
A key element of the president’s speech centered on replicating the successful model of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital across all governorates. He emphasized relocating dispersed administrative directorates to consolidated government compounds built on less valuable land, to maximize urban development and efficiency. President El-Sisi particularly highlighted this approach as a way to improve public service delivery and manage resources effectively.
In addition, the president inspected the “Future of Egypt Industrial City,” located along the Dabaa axis, which is part of the country’s efforts to integrate agricultural and industrial production chains. This integration is designed to reduce import dependency and reinforce national food security.
President El-Sisi also reviewed a documentary on Egypt’s urban renaissance and praised ongoing cooperation between the New Valley Governorate and the Armed Forces’ Moral Affairs Department. This collaboration underscores a broader vision of coordinated development across sectors.
New Valley Governor Major General Mohamed El-Zamlout outlined the state’s achievements in delivering essential services in education, healthcare, and telecommunications. He reported significant progress in eradicating the red palm weevil pest in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and noted a remarkable increase in wheat production.
In line with broader reform efforts, President El-Sisi proposed replacing some cash subsidy programs with productive livestock. He suggested that families receive high-yield dairy or meat-producing cattle instead of monthly financial aid, which would create long-term, sustainable income sources. He stressed that such programs would not undermine the private sector but complement it by ensuring returns on investment.
The president also expressed his discontent with Egypt’s continued reliance on imported infant formula, revealing that the country still imports 45 million cans of powdered milk annually. He urged the government and private sector to prioritize establishing a domestic production facility, calling it a pressing national necessity.
President El-Sisi highlighted the strategic importance of the New Delta project, which aims to accommodate two million families through integrated urban planning. He described the project as a major investment opportunity for private developers and reiterated the need to develop 2.2 million additional acres of farmland, a task requiring substantial financial and logistical resources, including tens of billions in electricity infrastructure alone.
Turning to Sinai, the president emphasized the government’s intention to bring 500,000 acres of agricultural land into active production. He called on governors and relevant ministries to work around the clock to make these lands operational within the year, capitalizing on the significant infrastructure already developed in the region, such as roads, tunnels, and rail lines.
Finally, the president addressed Egypt’s broader economic challenges, stressing that overcoming difficult financial conditions requires careful planning and attention to detail. He returned to his earlier livestock proposal, citing improved breeds that can produce significantly more meat and milk on the same amount of feed, thereby enhancing farmer income and national food supplies.
Throughout the day’s events, President El-Sisi reiterated that the “Future of Egypt” project stands as a cornerstone of Egypt’s national development strategy. It is not only central to achieving self-sufficiency in strategic crops, particularly wheat but also vital in creating jobs, supporting industrial growth, and positioning Egypt for long-term economic resilience.
