Crédit Agricole Egypt Foundation has joined forces with Schneider Electric and Gebal for Agriculture, Sustainability, and Livelihoods to launch sustainable development projects in Menoufeya governorate’s Shubra Qubala and Mit El Qasri villages.
The planned projects address water, food, and energy needs in these villages by installing greenhouses, fishponds, chicken incubators, irrigation pumps, and a compost unit for recycling agricultural waste all powered by solar energy.
In the presence of Marc Baréty, French Ambassador to Egypt, and Lamis Negm, CSR Advisor to the Governor at Central Bank of Egypt, the MOU was signed by Sebastien Riez, Cluster President of Schneider Electric Northeast Africa & Levant; Jean-Pierre Trinelle, Chairperson of Crédit Agricole Egypt Foundation and Managing Director, Crédit Agricole Egypt; and Mohsen Nawara, Co-founder and Chairperson of Gebal for Agriculture, Sustainability, and Livelihoods.
Under the agreement, the three parties agreed to plan, design and execute sustainable community development projects in Shubra Qubala and Mit El Qasri villages in line with Egypt’s vision to preserve the environment, develop society, and empower women. These projects include greenhouses, fishponds, chicken incubators, and a compost unit for recycling agricultural waste, all powered by solar energy in Mit El Qasri village. Additionally, a women-operated greenhouse will be established, ensuring 50% female representation in these projects.
In Shubra Qubala village, three solar-powered irrigation pumps shall be provided to be used in farming around 700 feddan. This innovative technology will not only reduce the expenses incurred on diesel but also enhance the overall quality of agriculture. These projects are expected to benefit approximately 26,000 local residents and 700 farmers. Moreover, they will significantly contribute to boosting crop productivity, resulting in the cultivation of approximately 1,600 different plant varieties, yielding 40 tonnes of crops, producing 12,000/year hatched eggs through chicken incubators, and generating an annual fish output of 3,000 fish. This adoption of solar-powered irrigation pumps shall also have a positive impact on the environment, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 68 tons annually and saving up to 70% of water consumption.
Trinelle said: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Schneider Electric in an alliance that allows us to truly embody our ambition to empower unprivileged areas and contribute to combating climate change. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to leverage the expertise and resources of the two organizations to create sustainable solutions to benefit the largest number of beneficiaries.”
