Egypt harvests 60% of rice crop, recycles 610,000 tons of straw

Egypt's Agriculture Ministry reported that 60 percent of the rice crop has been harvested and 610,000 tons of straw collected in a drive against field burning.

• The ministry reported 495,000 tons of straw baled, 286,000 tons shredded and 441,000 tons stored at collection sites.
• Recycling produced 1,943 tons of non-traditional animal feed and organic fertilizer.
• Minister Alaa Farouk said the system provides income for farmers and creates jobs for young people.
• Agricultural directorates held 1,176 awareness seminars on recycling rice straw instead of burning it.