Egypt, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation partner up to digitalize irrigation monitoring

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Tue, 08 Nov 2022 - 04:37 GMT

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Tue, 08 Nov 2022 - 04:37 GMT

Signing of a letter of intent by Egypt's Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Hani Sweilam and Director of AECID Antón Leis at COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh on November 7, 2022. Press Photo

Signing of a letter of intent by Egypt's Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Hani Sweilam and Director of AECID Antón Leis at COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh on November 7, 2022. Press Photo

CAIRO – 8 November 2022: Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Hani Sweilam and Director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) Antón Leis signed Monday at COP 27 a letter of intent of a prospective project pertinent to modernizing irrigation systems in Egypt.

 

The €670,000-worth project involves the digitalization of irrigation monitoring, which would help farmers improve their on-farm irrigation scheduling, and use of fertirrigation. That, in turn, would maximize production as well as the efficient use of resources, including water.

 

The cooperation also includes technical support to a large-scale irrigation project, which comes in light of the results of the pilot projects in the Nile Delta and Upper Egypt. Further, there will be room for exchange of experience through visits by Egyptian experts to Spain.

 

“Agriculture represents the heart of Egypt’s economy, as the sector employs 30 percent of the workforce in rural areas and provides livelihoods for 55 percent of the population. Recognizing the demand for climate-smart agriculture, we are shifting our priorities in 2023 to focus on promoting modern technologies, and developing farmer's knowledge, skills, and aspirations for a growing industry,” Antón Leis, Director of the AECID, said.

 

“Egypt is looking forward to building a strong partnership with Mediterranean countries due to the similar challenges that both countries face in the water sector, and to become a gateway to Africa for technology transfer and capacity building. The Egyptian government has developed a long-term plan to achieve sustainable water management, and we are keen on benefiting from Spain’s experience in modern irrigation and smart irrigation,” Minister Hani Sewilam said.

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