Egypt, Italy agriculture project boosts cooperation

Egypt’s minister of agriculture along with the Italian ambassador to Egypt announced the success of the S.P.I.I.E project, the Integrated Production Systems between Italy and Egypt.

“Even though this project lasted for a short time and it is small, its success was great and it symbolizes the cooperation between Italy and Egypt,” said Ayman Farid, Egypt’s minister of agriculture and land reclamation.

S.P.I.I.E, which was established in 2009 and ended during the previous months, supported the enhancement and creation of economic relationships between Egypt and Italy in the food production sector.

Farid pointed out that this project, which involved several Italian and Egyptian researchers, is an example and just the beginning for the ventures that the two countries hope to establish in the future.

He also pointed out that the project was a huge success, especially for the Egyptian agriculture market.

“This year for the first time in Egypt our potato products exceeded 465,000 tons,” he said. “It not only increased for local production, but it also helped us serve the demands of the international market.”

The initiative also aimed to strengthen the cooperation between the Mediterranean countries.

Fruits and vegetables being produced in Egypt were imported to Italy and eventually imported to several other markets in the European Union.

“This project helped both the Egyptian and Italian people as well as their governments,” said Claudio Pacifico, Italy’s ambassador to Egypt.

Pacifico added that the project resumed during the revolution and was unaffected by the recent political turmoil.

The project produced a diverse array of fruits and vegetables such as grapes, tomatoes, green beans, strawberries, artichokes, melons and potatoes in both countries.

It outlined guidelines for food practices that helped in improving the quality of Egyptian fruit and vegetables, as well as bettering the production process.