Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Eng. Hazem El-Ashmouni, Governor of Sharkia, and Ms. Rosala Fanelli, Deputy Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Office in Egypt, inaugurated the wheat harvest season in the village of Arab El-Bayadeen in Belbeis District, Sharkia Governorate. This is part of the activities of the project to build resilience and enhance food security for vulnerable rural households in Egypt. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, represented by the Executive Authority for Comprehensive Development Projects, in cooperation with the World Food Programme, with funding from the German government. The project is being implemented in 75 villages across four governorates, supporting more than 21,400 households. The opening ceremony began with the playing of the national anthem of the Arab Republic of Egypt, followed by a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. The Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation then delivered a speech, emphasizing that the Ministry provides all forms of support to wheat farmers, considering it one of the most important strategic crops used in many food industries, most notably bread. He noted that throughout the growing season, there has been continuous communication with farmers through scientists from the Agricultural Research Center, engineers, agricultural extension agents, and pest control officials. This communication provides them with all possible technical support and disseminates appropriate technical recommendations to ensure maximum productivity and protect the crop from diseases and pests. He added that the Ministry's agencies have been directed to continuously monitor harvesting and supply operations in the governorates through operations rooms to address any problems farmers may face. Furthermore, the Ministry's agencies and agricultural associations are providing agricultural mechanization to facilitate harvesting operations and reduce waste and effort. The Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation continued that wheat production is expected to reach approximately 10 million tons this year. He noted that necessary measures have also been taken to facilitate the supply of the crop to silos and barns at the state-set price of EGP 2,200 per ardeb, to encourage farmers to grow and supply the crop. Engineer Hazem El-Ashmouni, Governor of Sharkia, welcomed the Minister of Agriculture's visit to the governorate, appreciating his ongoing monitoring of various agricultural activities across the country and his provision of all necessary support and facilities for the development of the agricultural sector. He also highlighted the Ministry's efforts to resolve farmers' problems, in line with the directives of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and in line with the developmental progress taking place in Sharkia Governorate at all levels. The Governor of Sharkia emphasized the governorate's great interest in the wheat harvest season, having ranked first among the governorates of the Republic in wheat cultivation and supply in recent years. He noted that there is daily and continuous monitoring on the ground to ensure the smooth running of the supply process and to provide the necessary support and facilities to farmers until the end of the harvest season to achieve the target, in accordance with the directives of the political leadership in this regard. For her part, Rosala Fanelli, Deputy Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Office in Egypt, said: "Our visit today to Sharkia Governorate, accompanied by His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and the Governor of Sharkia, is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve through partnership. We are working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation to enhance food security and increase the resilience of rural communities in Egypt by expanding the scope of innovative agricultural practices, including land consolidation models, solar-powered irrigation, and improved canal systems, which contribute to saving up to 30% of water consumption.