Prime Minister Inspects Maghrabi Agriculture in Beheira
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, accompanied by Minister of Local Development Manal Awad, Minister of Agriculture Alaa Farouk, and Beheira Governor Jacqueline Azar, visited the facilities of Maghrabi Agriculture Company (MAFA) in Beheira. The tour reaffirmed the government’s dedication to advancing agricultural projects as part of Egypt’s 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy.
Tour of Key Facilities
During the visit, the Prime Minister examined vital sections of MAFA, including the Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) plants, cold storage units, quality control laboratories, pest management centers, and several farming stations. MAFA, a major exporter supplying around 153,000 tonnes of produce annually to more than 70 markets worldwide, plays a significant role in bolstering Egypt’s foreign exchange earnings.
Expanding Production and Creating Jobs
Sherif El Maghrabi, Chairman of MAFA, highlighted that their first IQF facility currently produces 65 tonnes per day with a workforce of more than 150 employees. He also noted that a new facility under construction is expected to boost the daily output by 80 tonnes and generate over 200 additional jobs. The company’s expanding cold storage complex is already operational in its initial phase, offering rapid cooling rooms and space for up to 4,000 pallets.
Innovations in Biological Pest Control
A notable highlight of the visit was the state-of-the-art biological pest control laboratory. Ashraf El-Arnaouti from Cairo University showcased how the lab cultivates beneficial insects to target harmful pests. An innovative mobile application has been developed to detect red palm weevil infestations in real time, enabling precise interventions that safeguard crop quality. El Maghrabi pointed out that these locally developed solutions have replaced costly imports—previously amounting to approximately €17 million per year—with domestic expertise.
Advanced Agricultural Techniques and Workforce Development
The Prime Minister also toured the grape packaging station, where he observed the full integration of the value chain in operation. MAFA’s use of advanced desalination technology for irrigation and its expansion over 9,126 feddans across regions such as Nubariya, El Bustan, Tamboul, and Minya were underscored. The company produces an array of crops including citrus fruits, grapes, lettuce, dates, and vegetables. With 1,600 permanent staff and 6,000 seasonal workers—7% of whom are people with disabilities—MAFA continues to invest heavily in research and development, applying soil moisture sensors, precision spraying to reduce pesticide usage, and introducing novel citrus varieties through international collaborations.
Government Support for Agriculture
Prime Minister Madbouly commended MAFA’s achievements, emphasizing that agriculture is a cornerstone of Egypt’s broader economic reform program. He reaffirmed the state’s support for initiatives aimed at expanding cultivated areas and adopting modern technologies that will not only increase productivity but also drive export growth and ensure higher economic returns.
Extending Services Beyond the Farm
After the tour of MAFA, the Prime Minister visited a mobile service convoy in the village of Zawyet Saqr within the Abu El Matamir Centre, a project under the “Decent Life” presidential initiative. Governor Jacqueline Azar provided an overview of Beheira Governorate, which comprises 15 centers and 17 cities with a population of 7 million. As a leader in fruit and vegetable production and citrus exports, agriculture is the primary source of income for the 830,000 residents of Abu El Matamir.
Local Development Initiatives
The “Decent Life” initiative in Beheira spans six centers and covers 42 villages and 236 hamlets, with nearly 2,800 projects already completed and operational. In Abu El Matamir, a substantial number of projects have been finalized, while in Zawyet Saqr, 38 out of 39 planned projects—including family development services, canal lining, a fire station, road improvements, an agricultural complex, and a youth center—are fully functional.
Concluding Outreach Efforts
To close the day, the Prime Minister visited a one-day food market organized by the local Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, and later inspected mobile medical units delivering essential healthcare services to residents in the area.
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