Cairo, 13 August 2025
As part of ongoing efforts to rehabilitate agricultural cooperatives and Trichogramma laboratories in Upper Egypt, site visits were conducted from 11–13 August 2025 in the governorates of Sohag, Assiut, and Beni Suef.
The visits were organized under Tender 2C Works of EU-ZIRA3A and aimed to inspect the required rehabilitation works in agricultural cooperatives and Trichogramma laboratories that play a vital role in supporting farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Day One: Sohag Governorate
The first day of visits began in Sohag on 11 August 2025. Contractors registered at the FSU-Sohag office before proceeding to the Trichogramma Laboratory at the Sohag Agriculture Directorate, where they observed the required rehabilitation works.
The visit then continued to Baga village, to review the required rehabilitation works in the agricultural cooperative. Later in the day, the team inspected the agricultural cooperative in El-Gebyrat village, Tahta district. These visits highlighted the required rehabilitation of cooperative facilities designed to improve services for smallholder farmers in the region.
Day Two: Assiut Governorate
On 12 August 2025, the inspection mission continued in Assiut governorate. Activities started at the FSU-Assiut office with registration, followed by a meeting with the Undersecretary of Agriculture in Assiut. The delegation also visited the Trichogramma Laboratory at the Assiut Agriculture Directorate on Algalaa Street.
Subsequent site visits included the Arab Alawamer agricultural cooperative in Abnub district and the Alfayama agricultural cooperative, including its storage facilities in Alshikh Suef, Alfath district. These inspections provided contractors with insights about the required infrastructure rehabilitation works, which are expected to strengthen agricultural productivity and improve local farmers’ access to essential services.
Day Three: Beni Suef Governorate
The third and final day of the mission was carried out on 13 August 2025 in Beni Suef. After registration at the FSU-Beni Suef office, the delegation visited the Trichogramma Laboratory in Nasir district, to inspect the required works.
The mission continued with inspections at two agricultural cooperatives: El Ziton village cooperative in Nasir district and the Mazora village cooperative in Sumusta district.
Strengthening Agricultural Services for Smallholder Farmers
The three-day inspection visits reaffirmed EU-ZIRA3A programme’s commitment to empowering smallholder farmers by investing in improved agricultural infrastructure. The rehabilitation of cooperatives and laboratories will not only enhance service delivery but also contribute to raising the quality of agricultural production, fostering food security, and supporting sustainable livelihoods in Upper Egypt.
This initiative, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Italian Agency for development cooperation, is part of a wider framework to ensure that rural communities in Sohag, Assiut, and Beni Suef benefit from modernized agricultural services and facilities.
