Food & Climate
ICARDA scientists and Egypt’s Agricultural Engineering Research Institute developed a lightweight raised-bed machine to enhance rice cultivation through terrace farming technology while reducing water consumption.
ICARDA scientists showcased the prototype of innovation today, through a high-level visit to identify the progress of “Enhancing Water Productivity in Agriculture” project in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, according to a press release, “Food & Climate” platform received.
Rice is a semi-aquatic plant grown in flooded fields under a layer of standing water. And Egypt is suffering from water shortage so needs to reduce consuming water and increasing the food production in the same time.
New Law
In an effort to maintain water resources, Egypt has approved a new law to circumvent illegal rice cultivation in 2021, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The new water resources and irrigation law stipulates that if a farmer is found to be planting rice outside of the allotted rice growing area set by the government the farmer could face a fine ranging from EGP 3,000 to 10,0000 or receive a prison sentence not to exceed six months, according to “world grain”.
In Egypt, rice is a summer crop that is grown from April to October and is limited to the north, east and west parts of the Nile Delta in 9 governorates set by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI).
Since 2015 to 2020, calendar years rice cultivated areas set by the government ranged from 451,164 hectares to 41,920 hectares annually. While rice cultivation outside of the MWRI’s allotment area has ranged from 210,000 hectares to 309,308 hectares annually over these five years, the USDA said.
Farmers planting rice outside of the allotted area are usually fined, but regardless of those rice crop area harvested usually exceeds the MWRI limit significantly.
According to the USDA, farmers prefer rice over other crops due to easier cultivation, lower production cost, higher profitability and storability for long periods of time. In addition to those positives, rice cultivation helps limit sweater intrusion into the Northern Delta lands, preventing salinization of the soil.
Setting up allotted rice cultivation areas and applying fines is part of the Egyptian government’s efforts to improve water usage, preserve water resources, enhance water productivity and ensure irrigation water is delivered to all recipients.
ICARDA is an international organization that for over four decades undertakes research-for-development to provide innovative, science-based agricultural solutions that improve the livelihoods resilience of rural dryland communities, according to its website.
The Agricultural Engineering Research Institute (AEnRI) was established in 1983 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation under the auspices of the Agricultural research Center.
AEnEI has been organized into several research departments and also has two centers for tractor and machinery testing services and rice mechanization center, according its website.
Enhancing Water Productivity in Agriculture
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.
Dr. Abdel Hakim Al-Waer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, said: “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.”