Cairo: Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk announced that food security and rural development have become central to Egypt's national agenda. The government is implementing a comprehensive strategy that combines extensive land reclamation with enhanced productivity through scientific research and digital technology.According to State Information Service Egypt, the strategy is designed to enhance value-added agriculture, improve self-sufficiency, and reduce dependency on food imports while ensuring the availability of safe and affordable food. Farouk emphasized these points during his remarks to the Middle East News Agency (MENA).Egypt has embarked on several significant land reclamation projects to boost agricultural production. These include the New Delta project spanning 2.2 million feddans, the Toshka project covering 1.1 million feddans, a 456,000-feddan initiative in North and Central Sinai, the New Egyptian Countryside project with 1.5 million feddans, and various projects across 650,000 feddans in Up per Egypt and the New Valley.The government has also initiated tertiary treatment plants for agricultural wastewater management, such as Al-Hamam with a capacity of 7.5 million cubic meters per day, Bahr Al-Baqar with 5.6 million cubic meters, and Al-Mahsama with 1.3 million cubic meters. Additionally, Egypt is advancing seawater desalination and modern irrigation systems to enhance water-use efficiency.Farouk highlighted the establishment of 18 agricultural development clusters in Sinai, benefiting over 2,100 families. These clusters include 11 in the north and seven in the south, providing each beneficiary with five feddans and a house. Furthermore, three integrated agricultural service centers have been set up to support these new communities.The government's efforts extend to border and Bedouin areas, where wells have been drilled, solar power stations established, and desertification combated. Subsidized seeds for strategic crops like wheat, barley, and fava beans have been provided, along with the distribution of olive, fig, and palm seedlings.Under the Decent Life initiative, the Agriculture Ministry has developed 332 agricultural service complexes across 20 governorates. These complexes comprise 996 facilities, including veterinary units, extension centers, agricultural cooperatives, and milk collection centers, at a cost exceeding 2 billion Egyptian pounds.Contract farming is another focus area, offering farmers a guaranteed price before planting and linking them directly with factories and companies. This approach provides certified seeds and technical support, contributing to a notable increase in wheat production, Farouk added.