International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr had talks on Saturday with country manager of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) program, Hanafi Abdel Haq.

The talks tackled the outcome of IFAD mission's visit to the Upper Egypt governorate of Aswan within the framework of IFAD's Sustainable Agriculture Investment and Livelihoods Project (SAIL).

Abdel Haq said the project aims to realize comprehensive rural development in 30 villages across Egypt. 

Meanwhile, Nasr lauded the program, calling for benefiting from such program in developing North Sinai and East Port Said.

She noted that she would embark on field tours of SAIL projects to benefit from them, especially the project in west Nubariya that managed to increase per capita income.

The IFAD mission lauded the role played by the International Cooperation Ministry as well as the achievements realized in the SAIL project.

The mission said a comprehensive development project will be launched in Marsa Matrouh by March 2017.

SAIL Project will target around 40,000 rural households, or 280,000 people in the sites which the government has allocated for settlement and 
rehabilitation. 

The three main outcomes of the project will be strengthened smallholder and institutions; improved agriculture production and marketing; and improved capacity for employment and enterprise development.

SAIL will improve food security and nutrition in the ''new lands''. It will also reduce poverty by increasing both on and off-farm incomes.

Important health benefits, in particular for women and children will be realized. The provision of safe 
drinking water will reduce illness and water-borne diseases, especially for children under five. 

The project will generate rural employment especially for unemployed young people.

Source: MENA