The EU-KAFI Programme hosted an event at the Hiring Service Station of the Agricultural Research Center in Damanhur, officially marking the launch of the wheat harvesting mechanisation initiative and the formal handover of modern agricultural machinery to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. The delivery will enable 31,000 small and medium-scale farmers to gain direct access to mechanised equipment, helping to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen Egypt’s wheat value chain.
The “Wheat Harvest Mechanisation Event” brought together representatives of the European Union, the Italian Cooperation through the Embassy and AICS, the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, as well as small and medium-scale farmers whose daily work represents the backbone of the country’s food security.
Access to modern agricultural machinery is now essential for food productivity. Through the Hiring Service Station, farmers will be able to benefit from mechanised services at a 10% discount, overcoming one of the most persistent barriers faced by small producers. The facility will help democratise access to mechanisation, making it available not only to large landowners but to all farmers across the Delta. The initiative represents a concrete step towards bridging these gaps by placing innovative tools and established practices directly in the hands of those who feed the nation.
“Italy and Egypt share a deep commitment to food security, and today’s delivery provides tangible proof of what a partnership can achieve. Through the EU-KAFI Programme, we are not simply delivering machinery, but investing in the people who feed this nation,” stated Dr. Tiberio Chiari, Director of AICS Cairo Office. “When small and medium-scale farmers have access to modern tools and the knowledge required to use them, the entire food system becomes stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable for future generations.”
The EU-KAFI Programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by the AICS Cairo Office, with the objective of strengthening Egypt’s food security by increasing sustainable and climate-resilient cereal production and reducing post-harvest losses, while placing small and medium-scale farmers at the centre of every intervention.
Through the EU-KAFI Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by AICS Cairo, 31,000 small and medium-scale farmers will be supported through mechanisation interventions; 400,000 farmers will receive training on Good Agricultural Practices; 4 new seed processing plants will be developed; 5 new silos with a total storage capacity of 50,000 tonnes will be constructed; 133 storage sites will be equipped with real-time monitoring systems; 600,000 feddans will be included in the agricultural training programme; and a national network of seed certification laboratories will be established.
