Egyptian cotton is one of the most important strategic crops linked to the country’s agricultural history, renowned worldwide for its superior quality and long, soft fibers, earning it the nickname “White Gold.” Despite a decline in recent decades due to market challenges and changing agricultural policies, efforts have resumed to revive it as a key source of national income and a cornerstone in supporting the spinning and textile industry, which provides thousands of jobs.

In Assiut Governorate, the agricultural heart of Upper Egypt, significant steps have been taken in recent years to restore the status of this strategic crop. The governorate possesses natural and human resources enabling it to play a pivotal role in the state’s plan to revive Egyptian cotton, with fertile soil, water resources, and a long historical heritage in cotton cultivation. The local authorities have given special attention to supporting farmers, starting with providing high-quality certified seeds, organizing awareness campaigns on modern farming methods and safe pest control, and following up on the harvesting season while ensuring marketing outlets that guarantee fair economic returns for farmers.

The importance of these efforts extends beyond the economic dimension to social and developmental aspects, improving farmers’ living standards, supporting local industries, and enhancing Egypt’s global position in the cotton market.

Major General Hesham Abu Al-Nasr, Governor of Assiut, stated that the state pays great attention to reviving cotton cultivation and restoring its historical status, following the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, by operating spinning and textile factories, increasing cultivated areas, and strengthening the marketing system to ensure fair and rewarding returns that encourage farmers to continue and expand cultivation.

The governor pointed out the allocation of collection centers and marketing rings across various districts of the governorate as part of achieving sustainable development goals and Egypt’s Vision 2030.

Dr. Abdel Rahim Ahmed, Deputy Minister of Agriculture in Assiut, said that the governor tasked him with field tours to monitor the availability of seeds and ensure the progress of work at agricultural sites and products of the Advisory Councils Union, as well as overseeing operations at the Abotig commercial cotton gin coinciding with the cotton supply season.

The Deputy Minister revealed that the cultivated area of cotton in the governorate reached about 3,214 feddans this year, including 1,653 feddans for seed multiplication and 1,561 feddans for commercial cultivation, distributed across various districts. He pointed out that all facilities are provided to farmers and any obstacles are removed, in compliance with the directives of the political leadership and Cabinet instructions aimed at supporting Egyptian farmers and facilitating supply operations.

In the same context, Assiut Governorate announced its plan to expand cotton cultivation in the upcoming agricultural season, as part of the state’s approach to revive “White Gold” and enhance its historical and economic status. The governorate aims to increase cultivated areas by providing all forms of support and facilities to farmers, including supplying improved and certified seeds and continuous agricultural guidance to help apply the latest farming methods that increase productivity and reduce losses.

Efforts are also underway to facilitate farmers’ access to agricultural supplies, intensify pest control efforts to protect the crop, and establish clear mechanisms for marketing cotton at fair prices that ensure a suitable profit margin. The governorate confirms that this step aims not only to increase production but also to support cotton-related industries such as spinning and textiles, contributing to new job opportunities, improving farmers’ living standards, and strengthening Assiut’s position as one of the most important cotton-producing governorates in Upper Egypt.