"Scientific research" It announces the production of new varieties of vegetables that improve the economics of Egyptian agriculture
The Academy of Scientific Research and Technology announced the success of the project “Evaluating and propagating new superior strains of cowpea and garlic and submitting them for registration as new varieties for farmers in Egypt,” which was funded within national projects in partnership with the Faculty of Agriculture at Kafr El-Sheikh University.
p>The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Ayman Ashour, confirmed – in a statement today, Sunday – that this success comes within the framework of the Academy’s endeavor to meet the needs of society and support the agricultural sector, and it also reflects the Academy’s commitment to achieving sustainable development and supporting the national economy through the outputs of scientific research.< /p>
He pointed out that this qualitative shift in agricultural policy in Egypt is part of the state’s keenness to produce local seeds for farmers. Which contributes to providing safe and sustainable food for the Egyptian people.
He explained that the project also contributes to reducing the import bill for vegetable seeds and enhancing local production, pointing out that this step is a vital step for achieving Egyptian food security. The minister said that the Corona pandemic clearly demonstrated the importance of this vision, as many rich countries faced difficulties in meeting the needs of their citizens for vegetables and fruits. As a result of the cessation of trade, enhancing local production is a key strategy to ensure the sustainability of food security in Egypt.
For her part, the Acting President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Dr. Gina El-Feki, indicated that the Academy has prepared a road map that addresses priorities and preparations. Scientific research for the post-Corona period, and the map included ten policy papers in a group of vital sectors, such as education, health, medicine, agriculture, food, environment, energy, water, oil, mineral wealth, transportation, space, remote sensing, and green urbanism. , emerging technologies, industry, economics, social sciences, and humanities, in addition to ethics, stressing that this map aims to direct research efforts towards achieving sustainable and comprehensive development that meets the needs of society.
She explained that the academy launched an appeal in July 2020. To receive proposals for applied projects, development research, and innovation, in accordance with the state’s priorities for the post-Corona period, this call included a group of fields, including the production of vegetable seeds with the aim of reducing the import bill, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture.
She noted The results of the evaluations resulted in the victory of three research proposals within the support of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology for the national project for vegetable seed production in Egypt. The winning proposals came from the Horticultural Research Institute at the Agricultural Research Center, the Faculty of Agriculture, Kafr El-Sheikh University, in addition to the Agricultural and Biological Research Division at the National Center. For research. She said that among these projects, the project “Evaluating and propagating new superior strains of cowpea and garlic and submitting them for registration as new varieties for farmers in Egypt” stands out, which is implemented by Kafr El-Sheikh University under the supervision of Dr. Al-Mahdi Ibrahim Metwally and Dr. Mohamed Tawfiq Salem Rakha from the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kafr El-Sheikh.
The project supervisor, Dr. Mahdi Metwally, confirmed that the new varieties are characterized by higher productivity compared to the current varieties used by farmers, such as the Kafr El-Sheikh 1 variety, which gives about 0.9 tons per acre, while the new varieties will produce more From 1.25 tons per acre.
He noted that these new varieties are characterized by early maturity, as it takes less than three months from planting seeds to harvest. Which contributes to reducing the cost of production for the Egyptian farmer. In addition, these varieties are characterized by high seed quality and high protein content.
He pointed to the decision of the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation No. (221) of 2024 to register two varieties of garlic: (Taiba 1 and Taiba 2). The project also previously succeeded in registering three varieties of cowpea (Kafr El-Sheikh 2, Kafr El-Sheikh 3, Kafr El-Sheikh 4) under Ministerial Resolution No. 535 of 2022. Dr. Mohamed Rakha, the project supervisor, explained that cowpea and garlic are considered It is one of the most important green crops in Egypt, as the Faculty of Agriculture at Kafrelsheikh University has had a distinguished program for breeding and improving these crops for more than thirty years. This program has resulted in the development of many improved strains, through techniques such as radiation breeding and tissue culture, and four have been recorded. New varieties currently represent the most popular choice among farmers in Egypt.
He added that the current project aims to register a number of new varieties that are distinguished by their superiority in productivity and their ability to endure in diverse environmental conditions, and this effort comes within the framework of seeking to improve Productivity and quality of cowpea and garlic crops; Which contributes to improving the living conditions of farmers, and providing safe and local food to the Egyptian people.
