More than 886,000 cases of illegal building on lands designated for agricultural use took place since the 25 January revolution in 2011, according to an Agriculture Ministry report.
The encroachments damaged more than 37,388 acres of valuable agricultural land nationwide.
Ministry of Agriculture sources accused the land protection device of failing to prosecute aggressors because of what they called the administrative corruption in the device which took advantage of the loose security to pass the irregularities.
The highest number of encroachments was documented in Beheira Governorate, Qaliubia, Sharqiya, Minya, Gharbiya, Minya, Assuit and Daqahlia.
North Sinai, New Valley, Matruh, Port Said and Suez had the fewest encroachments.
The report mentioned that 87,972 encroachments have been removed.
The report pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture notified the Justice and Interior ministries so as to take legal measures against violators and prevent further encroachments.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
