The General Union of Producers and Exporters of Horticultural Crops, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, announced the implementation of 50 pilot and experimental fields for the potato crop in various governorates, with the aim of selecting the best and most suitable varieties for local conditions, in implementation of the directives of Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, to support the development of the potato crop, raise production efficiency, and improve its quality.
Dr. Alaa Azouz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Union of Horticultural Crops Producers and Exporters, said that these fields are part of the approved field evaluation programs, where 50 pilot fields were implemented, distributed as 25 fields for small farmers and 25 fields for operating companies and large farmers, ensuring a true representation of the various patterns of agriculture and production.
He pointed out that these fields, which are being implemented in cooperation with one of the largest Dutch companies specialized in potato seed production, aim to enhance the productivity and quality of the crop for farmers by evaluating the field performance of the different varieties in terms of productivity and quality and their ability to adapt to environmental conditions, which contributes to maximizing the economic return, enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian potatoes in local and international markets and increasing exports.
He pointed out that the implementation of extension and experimental fields comes in conjunction with providing technical and extension support to farmers and following up on agricultural operations in the field, which contributes to raising the efficiency of agricultural practices and improving the level of production, pointing to the continuation of extension and applied programs in supporting farmers, promoting sustainable development of the potato sector, and improving the competitiveness of Egyptian crops in local and international markets.
Azouz stressed the Federation’s role as an essential link between scientific research and field application, in a way that serves the interest of the Egyptian producer and places the crop at the top of the international export map.
