Biotech Updates

Egyptian Agriculture Minister Acknowledges Role of Biotechnology

August 12, 2011

The Minister for Agriculture and Land Reclamation in the new Egyptian Government Dr. Salah Farag, has emphasized the important role of Agriculture in promoting the Egyptian economy to cope with the demands of the Revolution and the current political changes.

Only a week after being appointed to head the Ministry (he was assigned on 21st July 2011), he arranged a meeting with distinguished researchers of the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) to listen to their problems with a view to promptly addressing them.

He said: "the most important problem that faces Egypt today is the shortage of water and one way to overcome this problem is through the use of biotech plants."

According to the ARC researchers, one of the crucial factors that will significantly contribute to advancements in this scientific field in the country is the reconstruction of the biosafety committee. The new biosafety committee is looking for a better system of enhancing research in genetically modified crops in Egypt with the intention of reaching commercialization.

For more on agri-biotechnology developments in Egypt, contact Prof. Naglaa A. Abdallah, Head, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Senior Scientist, Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI) at naglaa_a@hotmail.com.