(Photo courtesy of Egypt’s Cabinet)
The government is studying the possibility of establishing a new integrated urban community with full agricultural, production, and service activities in some areas of Egypt, according to Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb. The community will be built using the most modern scientific means, and will be within the government’s efforts to utilise the available resources.
Mehleb held a meeting on Sunday in the presence of Minister of Agriculture Salah El-Din Helal, Minister of Scientific Research Sherif Hammad, and Professor Hany El-Kateb, a member of the Egypt Trustee Council to discuss the proposal of applying the urban communities’ model.
According to cabinet spokesman Hossam El-Kawish, El-Kateb proposed a model for an agricultural project that would rely on biological diversity inspired by nature, and will feature planting forests.
El-Kawish added that El-Kateb’s proposal includes coordination for the agricultural types of different roles, as well as the suitable crops for the type of soil, which would give higher production and would be resistant to pests.
The environment would also be convenient for farming animals and fish culturing, whilst relying on the best utilisation for natural resources, said El-Kateb.
At the end of the meeting, Mehleb approved the model’s application on a trial basis in Farafra, El Tor, and Toshka. This would occur with the necessity of conducting an economic feasibility study before applying the model on all the areas, for the best use of natural resources in the areas.
The government aims to boost revenues from its resources and assets, which would help provide resources to raise efficiency and quality of education, health, and housing services. This would improve the quality of the life of Egyptians, according to the spokesman.
El-Kawish pointed out that the next period will be filled with meetings and negotiations with all the concerned parties and experts in the field, to agree on the best methods and mechanisms for building these communities as well as conducting the necessary studies on all levels.
