The Ministers of Agriculture, Irrigation and International Cooperation discuss the position of the climate-friendly agricultural food transformation project

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, received Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Mr. Al-Qusair, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. To follow up on the position of the “Climate-Adapted Agri-Food Transformation” (CRAFT) project, one of the projects of the national platform of the “Novi” program, which was launched during the activities of the COP27 climate conference.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, welcomed both Hani Sweilem and Mr. Al-Qusair, noting the Ministry of International Cooperation’s keenness on continuous coordination between various national bodies and multilateral and bilateral development partners, in order to effectively implement projects funded by development partners. And achieving maximum benefit to meet development requirements and state priorities in vital sectors.

The Minister of International Cooperation indicated that the (Climate Adapted Agricultural Food Transformation – CRAFT) project is one of the projects included within the food axis of the national platform of the “Novi” program, which aims to create the appropriate climate to increase investments in the agricultural sector and encourage investors and the private sector to pump investments. In these sectors and activities, in a way that enhances the country’s efforts to achieve food security, which has become a top priority for all countries of the world in light of the challenges it faces, as well as enhancing the ability to adapt to climate change and reduce its negative effects on the agricultural sector.

Al-Mashat confirmed that the Ministry of International Cooperation, since the launch of the “NOVI” program during the COP27 climate conference, has been keen to strengthen cooperation at the technical and financial levels with development partners, and to select development partners who have extensive technical experience in implementing corresponding projects at the world level, and to involve all The relevant national authorities in order to coordinate joint work to begin the actual implementation of these projects on the ground, and carry out the technical qualification of the projects to achieve the desired results, pointing to the meetings that took place between the technical teams from the ministries of international cooperation, irrigation, and agriculture, and the World Bank, to find out all the details. The project will benefit the citizens and target areas.

She also stated that the Ministry of International Cooperation, in coordination with the Ministries of Irrigation and Agriculture, is working to coordinate with the World Bank to move forward with putting the project into practice based on national priorities.

Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, pointed out the importance of joint coordination between all ministries and concerned authorities to develop a clear vision and accurate technical studies when developing project plans, so that these plans meet the needs of each ministry and to ensure the proper implementation of the project and to ensure that this project has a positive impact on citizens when implemented.

Dr. Sweilem stressed the need to take into account the social dimension when implementing any project by ensuring that citizens are satisfied with the implementation of the project before starting it, which is what the Ministry is keen to do – for example – when implementing projects to convert to modern irrigation in clay lands through continuous communication with farmers to encourage them to This transformation presents the material gains that accrue to farmers when using modern irrigation systems. The Ministry is also implementing an experimental area for growing sugarcane using modern irrigation on the Balocher Canal in Aswan as a model that can be repeated later by farmers after its decline.

His Excellency explained that several meetings had been held between ministry officials and representatives of the World Bank to discuss procedures for implementing integrated activities to develop irrigation, modern irrigation and water management under the umbrella of the project while strengthening the role of water user associations, as agreement was reached with the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Bank to implement the project in the governorates of (Menoufia). – Eastern – Western) with a focus on achieving a number of goals such as (developing irrigation systems – using drip irrigation in places agreed upon with farmers – supporting farmers’ capabilities – reusing agricultural wastewater, taking into account environmental, social and economic factors and sustainability standards) And determining the Ministry’s priorities when selecting the municipalities targeted by the project, which are (the municipalities located in the centers of the Decent Life Initiative – the municipalities served by rehabilitated canals – the municipalities that face challenges in delivering water efficiently).

For his part, Mr. Al-Qasir, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, indicated that, within the framework of the Egyptian state’s vision that aims to enhance climate action and mobilize the support of the international community, the Ministry of Agriculture has participated in the national platform “Novi” with a number of projects in the areas of crop adaptation to climate change. Developing and modernizing field irrigation, early warning, agricultural insurance, and strengthening marginal and climate-fragile areas.

Al-Qusair added that the food axis of the national platform aims to move in accordance with specific national projects and methodology aimed at improving adaptation and flexibility in agricultural lands and supporting farmers in adopting new practices, indicating that it is expected to have a significant impact on human development by improving food production in addition to To achieve economic benefits that enhance stability and increase productivity. He also pointed out the importance of supporting the food security axis in light of the current changes and challenges.

The Minister of Agriculture explained that the technical working group from the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation participated in many meetings and workshops between national authorities, experts, and delegations of the main development partners from organizations and supporting agencies to prepare proposals for these projects in preparation for submitting them to the funding agencies, to set the framework for the details of the projects.

It is worth noting that this project includes a number of (4) components, namely (increasing the productivity of the agricultural food system – enhancing the integration of small farmers into value chains – developing an integrated agricultural information system – managing agricultural risks and promoting innovation, and aims to enhance crop productivity and adapt to climate changes in The Nile River Delta region, supporting the capabilities of small farmers to adapt to the risks and repercussions of climate change, improving the adaptive capacity in the Nile Valley and Delta region in areas expected to be exposed to climate change to increase crop productivity, and establishing early warning units and systems nationwide to improve the weather forecasting system and support services Provided to farmers within the framework of agricultural weather forecasting, developing a database for the flow and analysis of agricultural information and its promotion.