Workshop on the Digitalization of Egypt’s Food Crop Value Chains

On 27 January 2025 in Cairo, in collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Innovators Support Fund (ISF) we hosted the Consultation Workshop on the Digitalization of Egypt's Food Crop Value Chains.

As part of the Digitalization of Egypt's Food Crop Value Chains: Advancing Digital Integration in Egypt’s Key Food Crop Value Chains project, this event brought together over 80 public and private sector experts to explore how digital tools can enhance the efficiency, transparency, and market access of key food crop value chains.

Opening remarks from Dr Ashraf Hussein Fahmy, Professor of Biotechnology at the Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Dr Hany Ayyad, CEO of the Innovators Support Fund, and Dr Gianpiero Menza, Senior Manager, Partnerships and Innovative Finance at the Alliance – set the stage for the event. They reflected on the progress of the digitalization agenda and its alignment with Egypt’s Vision 2030.

The event also featured inspiring presentations from Dr Mervat Sedky, Head of Research at the Rural Women Department, Extension Institute – Agriculture Research Center, who highlighted the transformative role of women in agriculture and rural economies. Dr Mohamed Elkersh, Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, outlined recent reforms centered around the modernization and digitalization across all areas of the economy, with the Egypt Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Agriculture Development Strategy 2030 laying the groundwork for a shift in the agriculture sector. Ziyad El-Hamzawi, Investment Analyst at the Climate Resilient Africa Fund shared a forward-thinking perspective on the latest trends in agri-tech investment across Africa.

Following these presentations, Dr Mona Elkasier, Focal Point – Minister’s Technical Office, moderated a multi-stakeholder dialogue on the challenges, opportunities, and policy framework for digital transformation in food value chains.

Speakers included:

Ramy Boujawdeh, Chief Operating Officer at Berytech
Dr Alaa El-Kady, General Manager of the Research and Development Technology Center
Francesca Grazioli, Scientist I at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT/CGIAR
Hamis Elgabry, Program Manager at Mozare3 Farmers Partner Company
Professor Osama Rayis, Chair of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development
Professor Aliaa Ahmed Shanab, Nutrition Public Health Advisor and Adjunct Lecturer at the American University in Cairo

Experts highlighted digital illiteracy and inadequate infrastructure as major barriers for smallholder farmers, limiting their access to modern agricultural technologies. They stressed the need for strong public-private partnerships, user-friendly digital tools tailored to farmers’ needs and that can help overcome digital illiteracy, and the development of sustainable, adaptable digital applications that evolve with market demands and technological progress. These efforts are essential for empowering farmers and enhancing long-term productivity.

In the afternoon breakout sessions, participants took part in focus group discussion on market trends, digital solutions for supply chain optimization, and enhancing market access and e-commerce.

The feedback gathered will help shape the targeted solutions, impact areas, and key partnerships for implementing the Digitalization of Egypt’s Food Crop Value Chains project. By empowering small-scale farmers and optimizing supply chains, this project aims to enhance food security, support environmental conservation, and drive economic growth, while promoting sustainable agriculture practices for a more resilient future.