Formalizing the STAR Partnership: Evaluating Agricultural Resilience in Upper Egypt

The Hub for Advanced Policy Innovation for the Environment (HAPIE) formalized a new partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation to evaluate the Sustainable Transformation for Agricultural Resilience (STAR) project.

Implemented by the Ministry with technical support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), STAR is a seven-year, EUR 246 million program designed to strengthen the incomes, productivity, and climate resilience of smallholder farmers across Menya, Assyut, and Sohag. The project will reach 160 villages in its calibration phase.

The contracting ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including Dr. Hany Abdelatty and Mr. Kareem Ismail from the Ministry, Mr. George Richards, Director of Community Jameel, representatives from IFAD, the Egypt Impact Lab team, and Dr. Sherifa Sherif, Executive Director of the NIGSD, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to evidence-based agricultural policy.

The agreement marks a milestone in Egypt’s evidence-informed policymaking journey: ensuring that a flagship resilience program is accompanied by a robust framework to measure, learn, and strengthen impact over time.