The Dutch-Egyptian consortium behind the RootGrow Impact Cluster, led by Jaguar the fresh company, reached is major milestone early this month by planting the first ‘Juicy Crunch’ mandarin variety in the Middle East. This variety, and the unique rootstock to go with it, is selected based on years of trials of varieties that are appealing to the market and can deal with the changing climate, salinity risks, high soil pH and disease pressure. It is a major break-through for sustainability in the sector.
The new rootstock nursery of RootGrow project
Global citrus production is challenged by droughts and diseases like Citrus Greening (virus). Egypt has been spared of these challenges so far, but that seems only a matter of time. Exploring new varieties is one of the key strategies to build a sustainable future for the citrus cultivation.
The consortium does not only look at new varieties, but also at social inclusion and new generations of farmers and experts. The project will establish a cooperative of female-led SME-farmers for its production, while offering access to market through the value chains of Jaguar and consortium-partner Bouman Fruit. The project also collaborates with Egyptian universities for traineeships and curriculum development on Citrus.
The total package of developing a future-oriented citrus sector in Egypt attracts much attention among Egyptian companies. The setup enables a lasting change for the stakeholders involved, and together with the embassy the consortium works on multiplication so that climate smart agriculture is introduced throughout Egypt’s citrus-sector.
Check out video coverage for the launching of the impact cluster:
More information
To stay updated on developments or for assistance in exploring the Egyptian market, follow our updates on the Dutch Embassy’s LinkedIn, NL-Masr Agri-food Network or AgroBerichten Buitenland, or reach out to us directly at KAI-LVVN@minbuza.nl.
The agricultural team at the Embassy is here to make your entry into the Egyptian market as seamless and informed as possible.