FAO distributes 135 goats to 27 breadwinner women to improve livelihoods and nutrition
Matrouh, Egypt - Under the framework of the project: “Water harvesting and Good Agriculture practices for improved livelihoods and increased and sustainable production in Matrouh rain-fed agricultural areas, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) distributed today 135 goats to 27 breadwinner women, with a total of 5 goats per woman, and a half ton of feed. This project, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) and funded by the European Union via its Joint Rural Development Programme (EU-JRDP), increases income generation, and aims at improving living conditions and at improving household- level nutrition, especially for children.
Representatives from MALR and EU-JRDP as well as representatives from relevant government authorities have participated in the celebration, such as Matrouh governorate, Agriculture directorates, Agricultural Cooperative Association, Agricultural Extension Centers, Farmers Syndicate, Maddad Association for Marketing Matrouh products, Ramas Company for range development, along with representatives from Council of the Rulers in Matrouh, the Council of mayors and sheikhs, and farmers.
Presenting base line survey result
Constructing 400 new rainwater harvesting wells
Under the auspice of General Alaa Abou Zeid, Matrouh governor, and in the presence of the above-mentioned authorities, FAO has held another workshop to present the base line survey results and to approve the project’s final workplan.
“The project aims at increasing rain-fed agriculture productivity in Matrouh governorate, achieving rain-fed crops sustainability, and improving living condition in the governorate. It also aims at increasing rainwater storage and achieving the maximum use of rainwater harvesting by constructing 400 new rainwater harvesting wells” said Hussein Gadain, FAO Representative in Egypt.
“The project activities involve a) improving the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) mechanism in 100 farms, b) cultivating 2000 feddans of improved barley and wheat, c) distributing laying chicks to women, d) vaccinating sheeps and goats herds, e) distribution of Damascus goats to improve the specifications of Barki goats and f) improving rangeland by cultivating seeds and seedlings adapted to the drought conditions in the region “, he continued to add.
”One should benefit from the experiences of previous projects implemented in Matrouh, while taking into consideration the coordination and the integration between these projects”, said Mario Margiotta, Team Leader of EU- JRDP. He also emphasized the fact that the program is willing to promote Barki goats as a geographical indicator for Matrouh Governorate.
It is worth noting that FAO is responsible for managing and coordinating all project activities in order to optimize the use of water and rainwater supply, to build farmers’ capacity by improving practices in the production of olive, fig, almond, barley and wheat crops, besides dispersing new crops that are compatible with the area’s geographical conditions. The project activities also aim at adopting agricultural mechanization, and holding framers’ training to improve the productivity and the marketing of agricultural products. In this context, a number of agreements have been signed to organize small farmers associations, and to provide training within the project.
The European Union- Joint Rural Development Programme (EU-JRDP) is a rural development intervention under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Financial Cooperation with Mediterranean Countries (ENPARD) in Egypt, a policy initiative of the European Union translating its commitment to inclusive growth and stability in its neighbourhood and is implemented by the Italian Cooperation. The total cost of the Programme is €21, 89 million entirely financed by the European Union. EU-JRDP duration is five years (2015-2019).