Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sweilem, recently assessed the status of two projects implemented in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
During the meeting on Sunday, the Minister focused on two projects, the Project to Enhance Water Productivity in Agriculture, and the Project to Modernize Irrigation Technologies to Improve the Livelihoods of Small Farmers in Upper Egypt.
The Project to Enhance Water Productivity in Agriculture: This initiative, in partnership with the Government of Japan, aims to modernise irrigation systems, enhance water productivity, and support small farmers. It involves visits to project areas to obtain farmers’ approvals for transitioning to drip irrigation.
The Project to Modernize Irrigation Technologies for Small Farmers in Upper Egypt: In collaboration with the Government of the Netherlands, this project seeks to improve livelihoods by upgrading irrigation methods. It aligns with Egypt’s 2030 sustainable development strategy.
The Minister of Irrigation added that the two projects complement the ministry’s strategy, which includes switching to modern irrigation in sandy lands, sugarcane farms, and orchards, and implementing waterways development works by converting them to pipes through which water flows under pressure with a single lifting point system, while using solar energy as a source of energy.
Minister Sweilem emphasised the importance of training engineers, technicians, and farmers to ensure the sustainability and success of these modern irrigation projects.
