In line with the state's direction to support rural development and enhance the role of youth in the productive economy, Assiut Governorate continues to adopt policies aimed at maximizing the benefit from agricultural resources and opening new avenues for entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector, aligning with Egypt Vision 2030. Major General Mohamed Alwan, Governor of Assiut, announced the importance of expanding the utilization of agricultural residues and transforming them into value-added products through recycling. He considers this path one of the most important axes for empowering youth and creating new job opportunities in rural areas, in addition to its role in supporting sustainable development. This direction comes at a time when there is an increasing need for unconventional solutions to deal with agricultural waste, not only as an environmental challenge but as an economic opportunity that can be built upon to establish small and medium-sized projects led by youth, especially in villages and rural areas. In this context, the Governorate explained that the Directorate of Agriculture in Assiut participated in a specialized training program organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with the participation of 31 trainees and the presence of academic leaders from Assiut University. This was part of the activities of a project funded by the European Union to support rural development in the villages of the presidential initiative "Hayah Karima" (Decent Life), and in cooperation with the Ministry of Local Development. This collaboration between governmental, international, and academic institutions reflects a growing trend towards integrating scientific and practical expertise to support agricultural entrepreneurship projects. This contributes to building the capacities of young people and qualifying them for a job market that increasingly relies on innovation and sustainability. The training program, held at the Faculty of Agriculture at Assiut University, focused on concepts of agricultural entrepreneurship and mechanisms for transforming environmental and economic challenges into viable investment opportunities. It also included training on ideas related to recycling agricultural waste and maximizing the economic value of local resources. The Governor emphasized that these types of training programs represent an important platform for qualifying youth, not only by transferring knowledge but also by stimulating innovative thinking and developing practical projects that can be implemented on the ground. These projects contribute to improving living standards and creating sustainable job opportunities. At the conclusion of the program, certificates of appreciation were handed to the trainees who presented innovative ideas reflecting an advanced awareness of circular economy and sustainability concepts. This indicates a growing interest in agricultural entrepreneurship as one of the future development drivers in Assiut Governorate.
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