Will Farmers in Egypt Will Grow Bumper Wheat Crop?
“Only God knows the amount of wheat, farmers in Egypt will grow this season given the issues,” they added. However, they praised the hard work of farmers and said they are giving a valiant effort, for that they deserve praise.
“Remove the bread subsidy and replace it by cash subsidy. This by default will decrease the consumption per capita from 178 kg to max 100 kg. This will reduce the total wheat importation to 4-5 MMt instead of the current 12 MMt,” said Ashraf El Attal, Former GAFTA President.
The nation has endured political and financial strife since the fall of dictatorial President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Foreign reserves have tumbled from $30 billion to $13.4 billion - under three months' imports - raising questions about the state's capacity to import fundamental foodstuffs, for example, wheat.
Egypt imports around 10-15 million tonnes of wheat per year, worth about 3 billion dollars. This year the state says it will purchase just around 4-5 million tons abroad, wanting to get the rest from domestic reserves.
"For the administration to anticipate that 4 will 5 million tonnes of domestic wheat for bread is a fantasy, “said Abdel Salam, who possesses 5.5 hectares cultivate in one of Egypt's greatest wheat- growing area.
According to the CEO of the Fortuna DMCC, a Dubai based commodities trading house, domestic wheat production can be increased in the country if the administration provides quality seeds and manures to farmers.
“Government has to work harder to take care of agriculturists' issues, but that would take time,” Ashraf El Attal (اشرف العتال)said.
“Government should Encourage Egyptian farmers to grow more wheat, to reduce the dependency on imports,” Attal adds.
“Government should Encourage Egyptian farmers to grow more wheat, to reduce the dependency on imports,” Attal adds.