Innovating Agriculture in Egypt – Highlights from Kafr El-Sheikh

From Left to Right: Dr. Youssry Khafagy, Head of the Irrigation Development Sector at MWRI; H.E. Oka Hiroshi, the Japanese Ambassador to Egypt; Gen. Alaa Abdel Moati, Governor of Kafr El-Sheikh; Dr. Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for NENA; Mr. Aly Abousabaa, ICARDA Director General; Mr. Nageh Gharbia, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate.

July 28, 2024, Kafr ElSheikh, Egypt - the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and ICARDA, hosted a successful field day in Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt, to highlight the advancements and activities of the Enhancement of Agricultural Productivity Project.

This project, generously funded by the Japanese Government, aims to bolster food security and income generation in Minya, Qena, and Kafr El Sheikh through innovative agricultural practices and technologies.

Dr. Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near and Far East, and Mr. Aly Abousabaa, ICARDA Director General, welcomed several distinguished guests, including H.E. Oka Hiroshi, the Japanese Ambassador in Egypt, Gen. Alaa Abdel Moati, the Governor of Kafr El-Sheikh, and representatives of Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.

The day's activities began with a meeting with the Governor of Kafr El Sheikh, setting the stage for a series of insightful and educational sessions. The guests then proceeded to Arimon village, where they participated in a farmer's field school session focused on rice cultivation techniques and mechanization. This session provided a platform for farmers and irrigation engineers to share knowledge and best practices.

A key highlight of the event was the introduction of ICARDA's prototype of a lightweight raised-bed machine, designed to enhance crop cultivation while reducing water consumption. This innovative machine builds on ICARDA’s older model and is expected to significantly improve agricultural productivity and sustainability in Egypt and the region.

“ICARDA is proud to collaborate with the government of Japan and FAO on this transformative project. We are contributing science-driven innovations, such as lightweight raised-bed machines, advanced solar drip irrigation systems, a microtopography-induced salinity control system, and our state-of-the-art digital advisory tool, GeoAgro-Misr. By leveraging the power of science and technology, this project is significantly boosting agricultural productivity and sustainability in Egypt.” - Aly Abousabaa, Director General, ICARDA

The guests also visited a greenhouse construction site at Boraied village, where they observed the installation of modern greenhouse systems designed to boost crop yields and improve resource efficiency.

The day concluded with a graduation ceremony, celebrating the farmers who completed the farmer field school training. These graduates are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to implement advanced agricultural practices, contributing to the overall success of the project.

This field day underscored the project's commitment to leveraging modern technologies, such as solar-powered irrigation, scalable raised-bed machinery, and digital extension tools, to support the Egyptian government's efforts in improving agricultural productivity. The event demonstrated the tangible benefits of these innovations and reinforced the importance of continued collaboration and investment in agricultural development.

ICARDA remains dedicated to driving sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing food security in dryland regions, thanks to the unwavering support of our partners and stakeholders.