47 -The year was 1910. Until then, the Agricultural Society Limited had been responsible for experiments and research, receiving annual grants from government funds to facilitate its work. However, the growing importance of agricultural matters in the country in recent years necessitated increased government participation in the activities previously undertaken by the Society. It was therefore decided to establish a dedicated department. Mr. Gerald Duggan was appointed its Director-General. He had recently served as an inspector in the British possessions in West Africa. His expertise in cotton cultivation in various parts of the world and his experience with financial matters related to insect pests in India and West Africa qualified him for the position to which he was appointed. All the specialists, teachers, and inspectors from the Agricultural Society Limited were soon transferred to the new department. It falls under the Ministry of Public Works but is closely linked to the Ministries of Finance and Interior. The former assists in the distribution of cotton seeds, and the latter in combating the cotton bollworm and the pink bollworm. Work is now proceeding regularly. Experimental farms have been established, and measures have been taken to distribute good quality cotton seeds to farmers. Practical research is being conducted on pests, fungi, and similar issues. Necessary instructions are disseminated through publications, and success has been achieved in protecting the Abade cotton. Among its other activities are the analysis of pests and fertilizers, and the dissemination of information to agriculturalists.

Before I move on from the organization of agricultural affairs, I will mention that the committee's recommendations regarding schools have been incorporated into the government's educational statement. The establishment of schools on farms has begun, and it is intended to establish intermediate practical agricultural schools later, between these schools and the Gezira Agricultural School, which will gradually be upgraded. As for the committee's proposal to establish a permanent agricultural council, the government has already taken steps in this regard to a limited extent. The appointment of such an advisory committee was part of the original plan for establishing the agricultural department, and the matter is currently under consideration.

Regarding the 1910 harvest specifically, the area planted with cotton is estimated at approximately 4,695,260 feddans, compared to 4,415,187 feddans in 1909. The increase was general, but it was greater in the Aswan Governorate and in Upper Egypt than in Lower Egypt. The average increase over the previous year was 29% in Upper Egypt and 5% in Lower Egypt. In terms of varieties planted, it appears that in some cases in Lower Egypt, higher-yielding varieties – such as Yunqash and Tubari, among others – were planted instead of Abade and Siyassi. In Upper Egypt, however, Esfeenti has almost entirely replaced all other varieties.