The Aswan Directorate of Agriculture (DOA) and the Om Habibeh Foundation signed a five year Co-operation Agreement that will increase and strengthen partnership in the field of agriculture within Aswan Governorate. The Co-operation Agreement was signed by Ms. Mofida Al Kholy, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Mr. Malik Kotadia, CEO of the Om Habibeh Foundation. Mr. Mostafa Yousry Attalah, the Governor of Aswan and Mr. Mohammad Mustafa, General Secretary of the Governorate of Aswan witnessed the signing ceremony.

Since 2009, the Om Habibeh Foundation has worked with over 6,000 farmers, and 800 women to promote improved farming techniques using environmentally friendly practices.

The Agreement will allow the Om Habibeh Foundation and the Directorate of Agriculture to work with over 5,000 more farmers over the next five years. This will expand current assistance provided by the Foundation, including technical support, development of private enterprise in the agricultural value chain, and sharing of best practice models.

The Om Habibeh Foundation was established by the Aga Khan’s late step-grandmother, Om Habibeh, the Begum Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. It is an Egyptian, not-for-profit organisation of long-standing that has been contributing to, and supporting, a number of institutions, in the Aswan area, which are involved in healthcare, education and income generation for disadvantaged communities. The Foundation draws on the support and technical expertise of the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network to advance the newly announced initiatives.