Mauritania partners with Egypt to boost cereal production
Collaboration aims to improve yields of rice, wheat, and corn through advanced research, seed development, and sustainable agricultural innovation
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (MNTV) — Mauritania has announced plans to collaborate with Egypt to strengthen its cereal crop production, seeking to enhance food security and reduce dependence on imports through shared agricultural expertise and research partnerships.
The initiative was highlighted during a meeting between Mauritania’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Sidi Ahmed Ould Abah, and Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture, Alaa Farouk.
The two officials agreed to expand cooperation between their national agricultural research centers to drive innovation in staple crop development.
According to a statement from Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture, discussions focused on boosting productivity of key cereal crops such as rice, wheat, and corn, and developing new seed varieties adapted to Mauritania’s arid climate and soil conditions.
A major proposal from the talks includes establishing a branch of Egypt’s Agricultural Research Center in Nouakchott. The facility would serve as a regional hub for agricultural knowledge transfer, supporting research, training, and technology dissemination across West Africa.
Mauritania, which relies heavily on imported wheat due to limited domestic production, has intensified efforts in recent years to strengthen its local cereal sector.
As one of the largest wheat importers in West Africa, the country aims to reduce external dependence and improve food self-sufficiency.
In 2023, Mauritania’s Ministry of Agriculture launched a partnership with the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) program, the Arab Center for Arid Zones and Drylands Studies (ACSAD), and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) to expand certified wheat seed production. The collaboration seeks to establish a national program for sustainable wheat cultivation.
Building on these efforts, a pilot project conducted in 2024 over 200 hectares in the Trarza region achieved yields of up to five tons per hectare — a significant milestone demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale production.
Egypt, widely regarded as a leader in agricultural innovation under arid conditions, offers a successful model for Mauritania.
Despite having only around 5 percent arable land, Egypt produces about 9.5 million tons of wheat annually, ranks second in Africa for rice output at nearly 4 million tons, and fifth in corn production with around 7 million tons, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Officials noted that Egypt’s achievements stem from research-driven strategies and efficient irrigation systems — key practices that Mauritania hopes to adopt through this partnership.
The strengthened cooperation is expected to advance regional food security and agricultural sustainability while deepening ties between the two nations.
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