Egypt is now cultivating 2,463,688 acres of wheat nationwide, says Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister Adel al-Beltagy.
The governorate of Sharqiya has the highest rate of wheat cultivated lands, estimated at 325,000 acres. Second is Beheira with 245,000 acres, followed by Daqahliya with 222,000 acres.
Beltagy said the ministry pays attention to cultivation of strategic crops to reduce the gap in food supply through increasing lands cultivated with wheat, providing farmers with necessary fertilizers and encouraging farmers to plant it after setting the price for a US bushel at LE75 (US$10.50).
The minister expressed optimism toward the increase, saying it will surpass the previous rates within the coming few days.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
