Cairo: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam has announced the advancement of the project aimed at modernizing irrigation systems for smallholder farmers in Upper Egypt. The initiative, titled Modernizing Irrigation Technologies to Improve the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Upper Egypt, is designed to integrate modern irrigation systems, applied research, farmer field schools, land consolidation, and support for small enterprises. The project's goal is to enhance water-use efficiency, agricultural productivity, and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across the region.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the project is being executed in the governorates of Assiut, Sohag, and Qena, with cooperative efforts from the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. The initiative is funded by a grant from the Dutch government. Minister Sewilam emphasized the project's alignment with the second-generation water management system (2.0), which aims to maximize water returns, use modern technologies, and build farmer capacities.
Minister Sewilam instructed that project activities proceed as planned and urged for increased collaboration among the ministry's agencies, FAO, the Dutch stakeholders, and the Ministry of Agriculture. He also highlighted the importance of engaging directly with farmers through field visits and workshops to demonstrate the benefits of modern irrigation systems.
The minister noted that the project is part of a broader strategy to convert irrigation canals into pressurized pipelines, increase solar energy use, and establish water user associations. These associations aim to improve coordination among farmers, support crop selection, and enhance market access.
In terms of value chains and small enterprises, Sewilam reported that training had led to 220 project proposals from young people, women, and farmers, with 47 selected for potential financing. He stressed the importance of sustaining the project's positive outcomes, wide dissemination of field results, and continued farmer training in modern irrigation system operations.
The project targets the modernization of irrigation systems across 821 feddans in Qena, Sohag, and Assiut, with 139 feddans already completed in Qena's Khuzam area. It has united 2,676 farmers into 208 agricultural groups, enhancing irrigation management and water-distribution efficiency through coordinated efforts. Additionally, 99 research sites have been established and 196 farmer field schools conducted, transferring modern agricultural knowledge and practices to farmers.