H.E. Mr. Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), and H.E. Mr. Alaa Farouk
Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, conducted a field visit today in several villages in Aswan
Governorate to review the “Transforming the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers project This project
is a collaboration between the CBE, the banking sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the UN’s World
Food Programme (WFP) The visit was accompanied by Major General Dr. Ismail Kamal, Governor of Aswan
and Ms Rawad Halabi, WFP’s Country Director and Egypt Representative, along with senior officials from the
CBE, the banking sector, and the Ministry of Agriculture
Empowering Smallholder Farmers through Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Practices
Central Bank The project’s objective is to integrate smallholder farmers into the formal financial system
and provide tailored financial products and services This aims to improve the farmers’ economic
and social livelihoods by optimizing the use of natural resources, including land and water It also
focuses on women’s economic empowerment and the enhancement of financial literacy within
rural communities
Key Highlights of the Visit: Solar Irrigation and Agricultural Innovation
During the visit, Mr. Abdalla and Mr. Farouk visited a solar-powered irrigation station in Armana
village and observed a model for cultivating sugarcane seedlings using solar-powered drip irrigation
systems in Eniba village They engaged with project beneficiaries, toured agricultural fields, and
inspected productive enterprises The delegation also reviewed on-the-ground activities, including
technical support and training for farmers, the provision of agricultural inputs, and the promotion
of sustainable farming practices that are increasing production and boosting the incomes of rural households
Promoting Financial Inclusion in Aswan’s Villages
Mr. Abdalla and Mr Farouk reviewed the CBE’s efforts in promoting financial inclusion
in Aswan’s villages They also participated in training sessions for women focusing on
upcycling palm waste into handicrafts and agri-processing techniques such as producing
energy balls and dates. The visit concluded with a tour of an exhibition featuring local women’s
products, which were praised for their quality and craftsmanship
Strong Partnership for Sustainable Agricultural Development
In his remarks, Mr. Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the CBE, expressed his satisfaction with the
warm hospitality in Aswan and praised the success of the “Transforming the Livelihoods of
Smallholder Farmers” project He highlighted the tangible impact the project has had on
improving living standards and economic empowerment in rural Egypt He emphasized the
importance of state institutions, the banking sector, and international partners working together
for sustainable development in Upper Egypt He further noted that the project aligns with the
government’s strategy to support smallholder farmers, integrate them into the formal financial
system, and promote financial inclusion This helps improve citizens’ livelihoods and optimizes
the use of natural resources, especially in the Upper Egypt governorates and other underprivileged
areas Additionally, Mr Abdalla highlighted the CBE’s focus on empowering women and developing
rural communities that are better equipped to confront economic and environmental challenges
Ministry of Agriculture’s Role in Supporting Smallholder Farmers
Mr Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, emphasized that smallholder
farmers are the backbone of Egypt’s food security and the agricultural sector’s future He
stressed the importance of providing these farmers with the necessary support and noted the
success of the partnership between the CBE, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the WFP
Mr Farouk outlined the Ministry’s role in providing technical support, modern agricultural advisory services
and access to improved seeds and agricultural mechanization He also emphasized that the Ministry’s Executive
Agency for Comprehensive Development Projects (EACDP) would ensure that the support reaches the eligible
farmers This includes accurately identifying smallholder farmers, supervising project implementation, and
optimizing resource usage to enhance project success
Achievements of the Project’s First Phase
The first phase of the project, which ran from January 2021 to June 2022, benefited
approximately 85,000 smallholder farmers Key outcomes included the consolidation and
development of 8,500 feddans of agricultural land, the introduction of modern irrigation
systems, and the installation of solar panels These initiatives led to a 34% increase in crop
production and a 35% increase in revenues for farmers In addition, the project reduced operational
costs by 37.5%, supported the capacity-building of 50 social and civil organizations, and trained 2,250
individuals, with 31% of participants being women The first phase also offered financial literacy training
to 34,000 beneficiaries, including 47% women, and funded 15,000 women in establishing livestock projects
, which resulted in an income increase of up to 55%
Expanding the Project’s Impact in the Second Phase
Central Bank The second phase of the project began in January 2025 and will extend through December
2026, with total funding of EGP 120 million The new phase targets 11 additional villages and will
continue the cultivation of strategic crops, including sugarcane, along with export-oriented
cash crops such as cantaloupe By 2025, the initiative is expected to support 23,500 beneficiaries
develop and integrate 400 feddans of agricultural land, and install 21 solar-powered stations with
a combined capacity of nearly 1,000 kilowatts
