Kafr El-Shiekh, Egypt - The “Enhancing Water Productivity in Agriculture” project, funded by the Japanese government, has made significant strides in improving food security and income generation for farmers in selected villages across the Minya, Qena, and Kafr El-Sheikh governorates. This project focuses on introducing modern irrigation systems, disseminating digital extension tools, providing access to improved seeds, and managing soil salinity, while also promoting farmer field schools and climate-smart agricultural practices.

A high-level delegation honored by the presence of Major General Alaa Abdel Moati, Governor of Kafr El-Sheikh, His Excellency Ambassador Oka Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, Dr. Abdel Hakim Al-Waer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, and Mr. Aly Abousabaa, Director General of ICARDA, identified the progress of activities related to the Project in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate.

The visit commenced with a meeting with the governor, where discussions centered on enhancing project outcomes and expanding initiatives to other rural communities in the governorate, alongside attracting additional projects aimed at rural development and sustainability.

Subsequently, the delegation engaged with farmers during a session of the Farmers Field School in Arimon village, focusing on rice cultivation techniques, including seedling and mechanization methods. ICARDA scientists showcased a prototype of a lightweight raised-bed machine developed in collaboration with the Agricultural Engineering Research Institute. This innovation aims to enhance rice cultivation through terrace farming technology while reducing water consumption.

The delegation also visited a greenhouse construction site in Boraied Village (Eizba Shaykh Saad Abda) in the Sidi Salem district, culminating the day with a graduation ceremony for the Farmers Field School participants in the same village.

Commenting on the visit, Kafr El-Sheikh Governor Major General Dr. Alaa Abdel-Moaty Ali stressed the importance of the project, which comes within the framework of optimal utilization of water resources as one of Egypt's Vision 2030, for a better future for future generations, achieving the benefit from water resources and the highest productivity per acre, supporting farmers, developing rural communities and enhancing the efforts to achieve food and water security”.

His Excellency Ambassador Oka Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, said: “This year marks the 70th anniversary of development cooperation between Japan and Egypt, and the first cooperation was in the field of agriculture. Since then, Japan has continued to cooperate with Egypt to improve food security. In addition, Japan and Egypt are also cooperating in the field of water, such as serving as co-chairs at the UN Water Conference and constructing the weir in Dayrout. This project is contributing to both food security and water security in Egypt, using the knowledge of Tottori University in Japan, and I hope that the experience gained through this project will contribute to food security and water security in the region”.

Dr. Abdel Hakim Al-Waer emphasized the project's impact, stating, “The project contributes to reducing rural poverty and building resilience among vulnerable farming families in Upper Egypt and the Nile Delta by improving water utilization for agriculture and increasing productivity for smallholder farmers. This, in turn, raises incomes and creates economic opportunities for poor rural households as part of FAO's efforts to transform agri-food systems into more sustainable and resilient models, especially in the face of climate change challenges”.

While Mr. Aly Abousabaa expressed his pleasure to partner with the government of Japan and FAO to support Egypt in the 'Enhancement of Agricultural Productivity' project and added that this initiative is vital for improving the income of smallholder farmers and contributes to Egypt's food security efforts. Mr. Abusabaa also mentioned that ICARDA is proud to support this project by providing innovative lightweight raised-bed machines, modern irrigation technologies such as solar drip irrigation systems, a microtopography-induced salinity control system, and our digital advisory tool, GeoAgro-Misr”.

The project is implemented by FAO Egypt in cooperation with Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation as lead government agency; with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and technical assistance and partnership from Tottori University (TU), Japan, National Water Resource Center, Regional Center for training and water studies, as well as International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas ICARDA.

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