The Egyptian Government wants to achieve 75 per cent self-sufficient wheat production by 2017 said Amin Abaza, Egypt's Minister of Agriculture.

Abaza said the plan is to reduce crop waste during various phases of production, rationalize consumption and increase the use of agricultural mechanization in harvesting, packaging, and transportation.

According to Ministry figures, 2.85 million acres of wheat have already been cultivated for the new season as part of a wider strategy to cultivate a total of 3.1 million acres, compared to 2.8 million acres last year.

The Russian decision to ban wheat exports following last summer's heat wave meant the Egyptian government had to seek alternative wheat sources, as Russia was the largest exporter of wheat to Egypt.