Engineer Mohamed Fouad Hassan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture in Luxor, revealed the organization of guidance seminars and technical recommendations regarding the sugarcane crop to ensure the best productivity in the new season to serve farmers across Luxor. The General Directorate of Agricultural Extension, in cooperation with the Directorate of Sugar Crops at the Luxor Agriculture Directorate and the Mata’na Research Station, represented by Dr. Mohamed Owais, a researcher at the Sugar Crops Research Institute at Mata’na Station, organized guidance seminars about the sugarcane crop at the Agricultural Association in Manshiyet Al-Nuba, Al-Toud Center, Luxor Governorate.

The seminar addressed the latest technical recommendations related to the sugarcane crop, including agricultural service operations, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, aiming to raise farmers’ awareness, increase productivity, and improve crop quality. The seminar organizers emphasized the importance of farmers adhering to the technical recommendations issued by the Agricultural Research Center and Agricultural Extension to ensure the highest productivity and quality, contributing to sustainability principles, enhancing national income, and supporting the national economy.

Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Agricultural Cooperation monitored the progress of the subsidized fertilizer distribution process at the Qibli Qamoula Agricultural Association in Al-Qurna Center and Al-Baghdadi Association in Al-Bayadiya Center. They ensured the distribution process was regular according to the holdings registered on the Farmer Card system and that the association complied with the instructions regulating the distribution process. The General Directorate of Agricultural Services also visited the Tafnis Association in Esna Center and Al-Mahamid Qibli Association in Armant Center, where records were reviewed and compared with the Farmer Card system.

Additionally, a committee from the Pesticides Control Authority inspected several pesticide sales and distribution shops to ensure the pesticides’ validity and compliance with the specifications approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, the presence of activity licenses, adherence to safe storage and handling conditions, and the absence of unknown or unregistered pesticides.