AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICES SECTOR

Establishment

The sector was established in 1988 to actively market agricultural products in order to develop agricultural production and markets its products as well as enhancing investment in this field.

Activities of the sector: The sector is undertaking a number of activities aiming at serving agricultural production sector and local and external marketing. The main activities of the sector are: 1-Contracting with farmers to produce vegetable and fruit products. Beneficiaries from this activity are estimated to 3000 farmers. 2- The sector is working to achieve stability and balance in the prices of vegetables and fruits throughout the year through following the policy of purchasing agricultural products from farmers for prices suitable for direct consumption and store surplus to seasons of scarcity in modern cooling stores belonging to this sector (purchases of the sector from fruits and vegetables are estimated to 25000 ton/year). 3-The sector exports the products of vegetables and fruits to neighboring markets in order to introduce local products and improve its competitive position in these markets. 4-Facilitate the transportation of vegetab1es and fruits from production sites to marketing locations using miscellaneous transportation means belonging to the sector.  5- Import improved potato seeds from European sources and sell them to farmers to fulfil the requirements of local market of potato. 6-Provide soft loans to farmers to improve their purchasing power to buy improved seeds. fertilizers and pesticides. Amounts of these loans are deducted from purchase contracts concluded with the farmers (the number of beneficiary farmers is estimated to 1000 farmers) 7- Provide technical extension services to farmers in different production stages through a technical team of engineers specializing in this field.