The first phase of a project to reclaim 1.5 million feddans was launched on Tuesday with the aim to achieve development and build new urban communities. 

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said 500,000 feddans are put up for grabs as part of phase one in the cities of el Farafra, el Alamein and Toshka.

Agriculture is not the only goal of this important project, Ismail said at a press conference in the Cabinet HQ, noting that it is also meant to establish new communities, as well as industrial and rural tourism projects.

He told reporters that the government can very well sign contracts with international research institutions to make an outline for the project as a whole. 

Brochures on reservation of the 500,000 feddans should be available as of Wednesday and Thursday for small farmers and companies, the premier made it clear. 

The project will help increase agricultural land in Egypt and create industries that depend on advanced agricultural production, he further said. 

Ismail assured reporters that the infrastructure for the project is complete, adding that it will also contribute to protecting Delta lands and reducing unemployment.

It is also meant to develop border governorates and establish industrial development and food projects there, he added.

Source: MENA