Egypt lauds IFAP's role in development
Egypt, Economics, 5/31/2002

Egypt fully appreciates the vital role of the International Federation for Agricultural Producers (IFAP) in defending the interests of farmers and modernising agricultural methods worldwide, President Hosni Mubarak told the opening session of a Cairo congress yesterday.

Addressing the 35th World Farmers Congress, President Mubarak paid tribute to IFAP's efforts to upgrade marketing techniques for agricultural produce on the international level and among the member states of the federation.

The President lauded the federation's assistance to members that encounter the tough challenges of development, which has become a life-or-death issue in the context of globalisation and the fast-changing international scene.

In Egypt, we have followed - with admiration and appreciation - the activities of IFAP since its inception in 1946, which coincided with the founding of the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation, Mr. Mubarak said in a speech that was delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Irrigation & Water Resources, Dr. Mahmoud Abu Zeid.

"The IFAP is the FAO's non-governmental organisation that supports and defends the interests of agricultural workers at all levels," the President said.

Mr. Mubarak said that agriculture is a way of life in which progress is closely associated with world stability and security.

Egypt pays close attention to agricultural development, not only at home, but also in Africa and the Third World, he said.

Egypt is therefore quite keen to improve agricultural co-operation ties with the African and Third World countries, the President told congress participants.

Combating rural poverty is the greatest challenge facing the developing nations, whose governments should devise a comprehensive strategy to upgrade production in rural areas and human resources, he said.

This strategy should be based on effecting a just peace and confidence-building measures in order to prevent waste of these resources in war and conflicts, and use them in building farms, schools and factories, the Egyptian leader said.

The building for peace should be an indispensable part of any development strategy to improve the society as a whole.

"We want peace, not destruction. We should strive for better relations and dialogue between peoples. We should direct all our efforts and energies for economic and social development," the President said.

Over the years, Egypt has striven to build permanent peace to preserve the rights and privileges of the public, he said.

The conference represents new hope for a better, more just future for our peoples, and for improved agricultural production, he said, adding that the fairer distribution of income among rural communities and the realisation of greater co-operation between the northern and southern hemispheres would lead to a more prosperous and more stable future.

The congress organisers have decided to award President Mubarak with a plaque from the IFAP in appreciation of his distinguished efforts and services to support farmer-related issues and defending rights of small agricultural producers.

Abou Zeid accepted the plaque on behalf of the Egyptian leader.

The opening session was attended by a host of Egyptian ministers, foreign diplomats, representatives of international agencies, and regional and international agricultural federations.

The congress participants will discuss means of alleviating poverty in rural areas, sustained development in agriculture, food security, and co-operation ties and negotiations with the World Trade Organisation.

Previous Stories:
  Wali to read out Mubarak speech to 35th int'l Farmers Conference   (5/30/2002)
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