Cairo: The Egyptian government is undertaking an ambitious project to reclaim and cultivate approximately 4 million acres of desert land, as part of its strategic plan to boost agricultural productivity and create sustainable urban communities. The Ministry of Agriculture, backed by scientific bodies such as the Agricultural Research Center and Desert Research Center, is spearheading efforts to conduct comprehensive studies aimed at identifying and classifying soil types suitable for agriculture. These studies are crucial for determining the best crop structures for each region, taking into account soil characteristics, climate conditions, and the availability of irrigation resources.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Alaa Farouk, the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, has emphasized that the horizontal expansion initiative is pivotal in increasing the agricultural and crop areas. This expansion not only aims to enhance self-sufficiency in strategic crops but also seeks to establish ne
w agricultural urban communities that will generate numerous job opportunities and open new avenues for investment. The minister highlighted that over 2 million acres of desert have already been reclaimed and are under cultivation, marking significant progress in the national horizontal expansion projects.
The projects under this initiative include the Future of Egypt Authority’s endeavors in the “New Delta,” covering 2.2 million acres, along with developments in North and Central Sinai, Sunbul Sono in Aswan, and the New Egyptian Countryside Development Project. Additionally, the Toshka Project and private sector initiatives in the New Valley, East Oweinat, and Toshka further contribute to this expansive agricultural transformation.
In response to limited freshwater resources, Egypt has invested heavily in treating and recycling agricultural drainage water, supplementing it with groundwater sources to provide necessary irrigation. The government has established advanced treatment plants and implemented mode
rn irrigation systems across new horizontal expansion projects to optimize water usage.
Minister Farouk also noted the collaboration with the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development Agency to support these expansion efforts. This includes setting up research units in newly reclaimed areas and deploying experts from the ministry’s research centers to facilitate these endeavors. The ministry is also providing essential seeds and production inputs for these projects. In Sinai, 17 new agricultural development clusters have been established, benefiting over 2,122 families with land and housing provisions, enhancing both the local economy and community welfare.