Cairo: Egypt has successfully grown cotton in the South Sinai desert for the first time, in a trial that the authorities say could pave the way for expanding cultivation of the country's signature crop into arid regions.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the Agriculture Ministry announced that researchers at the Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) and the Cotton Research Institute achieved high-quality yields in El-Tor City using modern irrigation and tailored fertilization methods. Six established cotton varieties, including Super Giza 86, 94, and 97, were planted alongside three new genetic lines, with the first harvest completed in just 127 days.

Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk hailed the milestone as proof of the power of applied research to drive agricultural development, pledging more support for scientists to convert laboratory findings into large-scale production. 'This achievement shows that cotton can be grown in harsh, desert conditions without compromising quality,' ARC President Adel AbdElazeem said. 'It opens the door to using more of our land for this strategic crop.'

The trials will be expanded to other governorates, with farmer training on advanced irrigation and cultivation techniques to boost productivity and adapt to climate change challenges, Abd Elazeem added.