Egypt's former head of orchards, Mahmoud Ata, has criticized the current and past ministers of agriculture for their role in the sector's decline. Ata, who previously served as the head of the Central Administration for Orchards and Agricultural Crops, stated that the policies of the current and past ministers have led to the sector's problems and crises. He noted that the current minister and the former minister, who is now the head of the parliamentary agriculture committee, have failed to address the sector's issues.
Ata expressed his concerns based on his experience working in the Ministry of Agriculture over the past eight years, which he described as the most difficult period of his career. He stated that he is not biased towards any individual or era but rather advocates for a clear and stable agricultural policy. Ata emphasized that the sector requires a well-defined policy to ensure its growth and development.
Ata praised former Minister of Agriculture Youssef Wali, who he said had a clear agricultural policy during his tenure. He noted that the years following 2011 saw a shared vision for the sector, which helped to sustain several programs aimed at serving farmers, including the expansion of advisory fields in villages. Ata stressed that his criticism is not about defending a particular minister or era but rather about the need for a clear policy that can be built upon and continued to serve the sector and farmers.
Ata's criticism comes at a time when the Egyptian agriculture sector is facing several challenges. The sector has been impacted by various factors, including climate change, water scarcity, and limited resources. Ata's comments highlight the need for a comprehensive policy that addresses these challenges and ensures the sector's sustainability.
The former head of orchards also expressed his disappointment with the current state of the sector, stating that it has been suffering for the past eight years. He emphasized that the sector requires a stable and clear policy to attract investment and ensure its growth. Ata's comments are seen as a call to action for the government to revisit its agricultural policies and work towards developing a comprehensive strategy for the sector.
The Egyptian government has been working to improve the agriculture sector, including initiatives aimed at increasing productivity and reducing imports. However, Ata's comments suggest that more needs to be done to address the sector's underlying issues. The government has been urged to engage with experts and stakeholders to develop a policy that addresses the sector's challenges and ensures its sustainability.
Ata's criticism of the current and past ministers has sparked a debate about the future of the agriculture sector in Egypt. The sector plays a critical role in the country's economy and food security, and it is essential that the government works to address its challenges. The government's response to Ata's comments and its efforts to develop a comprehensive agricultural policy will be closely watched by stakeholders and experts.
Key points
- Former Egyptian agriculture official Mahmoud Ata criticizes current and past ministers for sector's decline
- Ata advocates for clear and stable agricultural policy to ensure sector's growth and development
- Egyptian agriculture sector faces several challenges, including climate change, water scarcity, and limited resources
