Egypt's agricultural landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. The country's focus has shifted from merely expanding its cultivated land to maximizing output and revenue per unit of water. With the agricultural area growing from 6 million to 10.5 million feddans, the government is prioritizing water efficiency. This new approach aims to achieve two main goals: supporting food security and increasing agricultural exports to generate foreign currency.
The expansion of new lands, such as the 1.5 million feddans in the New Delta project, and the Toshka and Sinai projects, are crucial to increasing agricultural production and national income. These projects rely heavily on modern irrigation systems and non-traditional water sources. The reuse of treated agricultural wastewater is also being emphasized, with significant reductions in wastewater discharged into the Mediterranean Sea.
The water treatment and reuse projects are a vital component of Egypt's agricultural strategy. The El-Mahsama station has a capacity of nearly 1 million cubic meters per day, while the Bahar El-Baqr station has a capacity of 5.6 million cubic meters per day. These projects aim to provide a reliable source of water for irrigation, reducing the country's reliance on Nile water.
The efficiency of water use varies greatly depending on the irrigation system employed. Traditional flood irrigation has an efficiency of around 50%, while modern sprinkler and drip irrigation systems have efficiencies of 75% and 85%, respectively. The use of smart agriculture technologies can further increase efficiency to around 95%.
The selection of crops and seeds is also critical in maximizing water efficiency. Experts argue that the choice of crops should be based not only on quantity but also on the economic return per unit of water. Certain export crops, such as tomatoes, oranges, strawberries, and spinach, can generate higher revenues per unit of water than traditional crops like wheat.
According to Dr. Mohamed Hussein, a specialist in agriculture and director of the Land Improvement Department, maximizing returns from new lands requires a three-pronged approach: efficient water management, selection of suitable crops, and the use of high-yielding seeds and modern irrigation systems.
The new agricultural strategy is expected to have a positive impact on Egypt's economy. By increasing agricultural exports and reducing the country's reliance on imports, Egypt can generate foreign currency and improve its balance of payments. The strategy also aims to improve food security and reduce poverty in rural areas.
Key points
- Egypt's agricultural strategy shifts focus from expanding cultivated land to maximizing output and revenue per unit of water.
- The country is investing in modern irrigation systems and water treatment projects to support its agricultural goals.
- The selection of crops and seeds is critical in maximizing water efficiency and generating higher revenues.
