Dr. Mohamed Hany Ghoneim, Governor of Beni Suef, held an extensive meeting as part of the preparatory series for hosting the fourth edition of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Festival and Conference. The meeting included the presence of key officials from the governorate, universities, and relevant entities.

The governor emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among all partners to achieve the festival and conference goals, which will feature broad participation from academic and research institutions, specialized companies in medicinal and aromatic plants production, and international organizations concerned with agricultural development and green investment. He highlighted the importance of promoting Beni Suef as the “Capital of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants,” aiming for a distinctive and innovative festival edition.

The governor discussed coordination mechanisms with partner entities from executive bodies, academic sectors, and the Agricultural Export Council to develop and implement a work plan for various events and activities, some scheduled before the main festival days on October 18 and 19. He also announced the foundation stone laying for the integrated center for medicinal and aromatic plants services, covering over 7,000 square meters, supported by the European Union through the Ministry of Local Development’s technical support project. The center will include an agricultural extension unit and a product sterilization unit to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian exports.

The governor directed partners to study the economic feasibility of establishing an educational track specializing in the cultivation and manufacturing of medicinal and aromatic plants, considering the large investments in the sector and the available infrastructure and logistics. Beni Suef cultivates over 18,000 feddans and hosts more than 80 specialized factories and companies, exporting about 95% of its essential oils and 85% of its dried herbs, contributing between 40% to 60% of Egypt’s total exports, placing Egypt fifth globally with nearly 6% of international trade volume.

The festival’s activities include competitions within schools and universities to promote awareness of the sector among students through research, innovative projects, and highlighting modern agricultural and manufacturing practices. Exhibitions and workshops will be organized involving the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Council for Women, and the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Institute, showcasing agricultural manufacturing products and handicrafts based on plant raw materials.

Additionally, sports, entertainment, and cultural events will be held before and during the official festival dates, including a cycling marathon named after a medicinal plant famous in Beni Suef, artistic and cultural performances in cooperation with the Ministries of Culture, Youth, and Sports, an open museum corner displaying archaeological replicas narrating Beni Suef’s history, a children’s corner, and a blood donation campaign.

A special tree-planting event will distribute between 5,000 to 8,000 seedlings to schools, universities, and government entities under the presidential afforestation initiative, aligned with the state’s vision to improve the environment and raise awareness about the importance of afforestation. Coordination with public, private, and specialized universities will also take place to prepare, design, and print brochures promoting these activities and disseminate them on official university pages.

The governor requested coordination with specialized university faculties to set technical standards for organizing a “Best Photo and Video Competition” regarding quality and size, forming a specialized jury to evaluate participants’ works and announce winners with cash prizes (5,000 EGP for first place, 3,000 EGP for second, and 2,000 EGP for third).

He also stressed expanding the involvement of volunteers, especially university youth and students, to benefit from their energy and enthusiasm in various organizational committees of the conference. Coordination with university administrations and intensified advertising of registration links on official pages aim to attract maximum participation as exhibitors, volunteers, visitors, or speakers. Attendance at official sessions will be limited to registered participants only.