Encroachments on state-owned lands are one of the main challenges the Egyptian state currently faces, said Prime Minister Sherif Ismail on Wednesday.
Reviewing this file during a meeting with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Ismail said that protecting agricultural lands represents one of the key foundations of Egyptian national security.
"This is Egypt's real wealth through which the largest part of the nation's food needs is met," he said.
"The shrinking of the agricultural lands means more imports with its negative effects on the Egyptian national security," he added.
The premier warned also that encroaching on desert lands without serious technical and economic studies has negative impact on the ground water.
"This also does not make best use of these lands to achieve economic and social development," he said
 
Source: MENA