Egypt’s Agriculture Ministry Launches Intensive Measures to Protect Crops from Pests

Crop Protection.

The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation has initiated an extensive early intervention program aimed at combating insect pests in the village of “Ifwa,” located in the Al-Wasta Center of Beni Suef Governorate. This initiative aligns with directives from Alaa Farouk, the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, emphasizing ongoing field monitoring of agricultural development projects and support for farmers in targeted villages.

The ministry stated that these efforts reflect a coordinated approach among various affiliated entities, involving specialized research institutes under the Agricultural Research Center, supervised by Dr. Adel Abdel Azim, head of the center. Coordination also includes the Agricultural Services and Monitoring Sector and the Agricultural Pesticides Committee, as part of a proactive strategy to protect crops and mitigate potential losses.

Dr. Saad Moussa, Deputy Head of the Agricultural Research Center, explained that the campaign focuses on implementing preventive measures against several dangerous insect pests threatening crops this season, particularly the fall armyworm and cutworms.

The research team treated an initial area of approximately five feddans using bio-pesticides produced by the Plant Protection Research Institute, known for their high efficiency and complete safety for both the environment and human health. Additional quantities of these pesticides have been made available to cover other areas planted with corn, ensuring rapid response to any new pest outbreaks in the near future.

Additionally, Moussa noted that the campaign included advisory and training activities for small farmers, focusing on identifying symptoms of pest infestations, early detection methods, and practical training on safe and effective use of bio-pesticides along with rapid intervention techniques to curb pest spread.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation reiterated its commitment to ongoing field efforts through the Agricultural Research Center and all its executive sectors to support farmers. This includes promoting good agricultural practices and modern technologies aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and achieving sustainable agricultural development while enhancing national food security.