Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam said modernising Irrigation Technologies to Improve the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Upper Egypt project represents an integrated model that combines modern irrigation systems, applied research, farmer field schools, land consolidation and support for small enterprises, with the aim of improving water-use efficiency, boosting agricultural productivity and enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Sewilam received a report on the implementation of the project, which is being carried out in the governorates of Assiut, Sohag and Qena in co-operation with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and with funding from a grant provided by the Dutch government.
The minister said the project’s activities are in line with the objectives of the second-generation water management system (2.0), particularly maximising the return on each unit of water, expanding the application of research and modern technologies, and building farmers’ capacities.
Sewilam directed that the project’s activities continue according to the established timetable, while intensifying coordination among the ministry’s agencies, FAO, the Dutch side and the Ministry of Agriculture.
He also called for strengthening direct engagement with farmers through field visits and workshops and showcasing successful experiences and the results of modern irrigation systems to encourage more beneficiaries to adopt them.
He noted that the project complements the ministry’s strategy to develop irrigation canals by converting them into pressurised pipelines under a single-lift-point system, expanding the use of solar energy, and establishing water user associations to participate in the planning, design and implementation of irrigation systems, paving the way for their operation, management and maintenance.
These associations, he said, also help address the challenge of fragmented agricultural holdings by bringing together farmers who use the same watercourse and strengthening coordination among them in water distribution and system management.
They also support crop selection, facilitate access to production inputs and improve farmers’ access to markets.
In the area of value chains and small and micro-enterprises, Sewilam said young people, women and farmers had received training that resulted in the submission of 220 project ideas. Of these, 47 were selected, with preparations underway to secure financing for their implementation.
The minister stressed the importance of building on the project’s positive results, expanding the dissemination of field results, farmer field schools and successful experiences, and continuing to train farmers in the operation and maintenance of modern irrigation systems.
He also underscored the need to strengthen farmers’ participation in system management and operating and maintenance costs to ensure the project’s sustainability and maximize the benefits of its outcomes in improving water management, supporting food security and enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
The project aims to modernise irrigation systems across 821 feddans in Qena, Sohag and Assiut.
Modern irrigation works have been completed across 139 feddans in the Khuzam area of Qena.
The project has also brought together 2,676 farmers owning around 2,789 feddans into 208 agricultural groups.
The heads of these groups have been trained in collective irrigation and marketing practices, as well as coordinating planting schedules and agricultural operations, helping improve irrigation management, reduce irrigation time and enhance water-distribution efficiency.
In research and development, 99 research and experimental sites have been established with the participation of the National Water Research Center, the Agricultural Research Center, Assiut University and South Valley University.
In addition, 196 farmer field schools have been conducted to build farmers’ capacities and transfer modern agricultural knowledge and practices.
