Enabling Environment for Seed Business in Egypt

Egypt and the Netherlands are joining forces to strengthen the enabling environment for seed business in Egypt. With Egypt’s ambition of becoming a regional seed hub, this initiative aims to foster public–private collaboration, enhance regulatory clarity, and promote innovation in climate-smart seed systems. The project contributes to both Egypt’s national agricultural strategies and the Netherlands’ agenda on sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture.

Background to the Initiative

This partnership builds on the study “Assessing the performance of Egypt’s seed sector” and responds to Egypt’s priority of developing a seed sector that supports both Egyptian and international companies. A strong enabling environment is essential for introducing and protecting new crop varieties that are salt-tolerant, heat-resistant, and water-efficient - vital for food security and climate adaptation.

With support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), the project focuses on targeted regulatory improvements and practical tools, such as a prototype digital seed portal, to make the sector more transparent, efficient, and attractive for investment

Activities

The project performs several activities, including:  

  • Reviewing regulatory barriers and updating the seed sector assessment

  • Organizing dialogue sessions on priority topics such as plant variety protection, registration, and compliance

  • Developing a roadmap and launching a prototype digital seed portal to improve transparency

Overview

The project brings together Egyptian stakeholders, Dutch partners, and international experts to create a more inclusive, transparent, and investment-friendly seed sector in Egypt. By strengthening regulatory frameworks, building stakeholder consensus, and piloting digital tools, it supports the introduction of climate-smart varieties that help farmers adapt to challenges like salinity, heat, and water scarcity. Running from June 2025 to February 2026, the initiative is embedded in Egypt’s “Climate and Water Smart Agriculture” strategy and contributes directly to sustainable growth, food security, and improved livelihoods for farmers.

Read the project brief here

Contact

Are you a company interested in Egypt’s seed sector or a development partner with complementary goals? Reach out to us for questions, or to explore potential synergies. Please contact our project lead, Gareth Borman at gborman@seednl.nl  

Photo credit: EKN Egypt, Omar Abdellatif