Egypt’s cultivated area exceeds 10 million feddans; 17 new strategic crop varieties registered: Minister

CAIRO – 23 May 2026: Egypt’s cultivated area has surpassed 10 million feddans, bringing the country’s total cropped area to 17.5 million feddans (one feddan is approximately equal to 1.038 acres), according to a statement issued Saturday by Alaa Farouk.

The minister reviewed the exceptional progress achieved by Egypt’s agricultural sector in recent years, emphasizing that the state is steadily moving toward a major leap in productivity and expanded cultivated areas to confront global challenges and secure citizens’ needs.

Farouk revealed that intensive efforts are underway to reclaim more than 3.5 million additional feddans, primarily through major national projects in the New Delta region, which he described as a new agricultural lifeline for the country, as well as in Toshka, aimed at revitalizing agriculture in southern Egypt, and in Sinai Peninsula as part of the state’s comprehensive development plan for the region.

In a related context, the Minister of Agriculture highlighted progress in the digital and field modernization of irrigation systems. Modern irrigation systems have been implemented across 477,000 feddans, in addition to the development of on-farm irrigation systems covering another 250,000 feddans.

He explained that these measures are intended to maximize the efficient use of water resources and improve the productivity of both old and newly reclaimed agricultural lands.

Regarding genetically improved crops, the minister stated that 2025 witnessed significant progress through the development and registration of 17 new varieties of key strategic crops. According to Farouk, these varieties are characterized by high productivity, superior quality, and greater adaptability to climate change. He added that the new varieties have already been distributed to farmers in order to increase economic returns per feddan.

The minister noted that these initiatives are part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s broader strategy to boost self-sufficiency in essential commodities and support Egyptian farmers through technical assistance and innovative agricultural solutions that ensure the sustainability of the sector as a cornerstone of the national economy.

The efforts also come amid continued population growth in Egypt, which has now exceeded 109 million people, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).