ICARDA and Egypt Unite with New Agreement to Boost Research on Sustainable Water Management

Cairo, October 16, 2024, The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Egypt (MWRI), represented by H.E. Minister Hani Sewilam, and Eng. Walid Hakiki, Head of the Planning Sector, and ICARDA, represented by Prof. Vinay Nangia, Research Team Leader Soil, Water, Agronomy, on behalf of Director General Aly Abousabaa, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to intensify cooperation and expand collaborative efforts in water resources research and capacity development. The signing ceremony was carried out on Wednesday, 16 October 2024, during Cairo Water Week.

In Egypt, where water scarcity poses a critical challenge, the interconnected fields of agriculture, food security, and water management require the modernization of irrigation systems to boost agricultural productivity. Therefore, the primary objective of this MoU is to promote collaboration in agricultural water and irrigation research and human capacity building, enhancing Egypt’s ability to optimize agricultural water usage.

Building on ICARDA’s expertise in dryland  agri-science and years partnership, this MoU aims to promote collaboration in agricultural water resources research and human capacity building, to optimize agricultural water usage in Egypt. ICARDA brings over four decades working closely with smallholder farmers on relevant climate-smart agriculture, including digital innovations and advanced water technologies such as solar-powered drip irrigation, desalination, or root zone cooling systems. Other planned collaborations include on-farm affordable renewable energy solutions, improving on-farm water-energy-food nexus, improving crop water productivity, rainwater harvesting, desert farming, and including a gender and youth perspective in all projects to generate effective, sustainable, and efficient solutions for dryland communities.

Additionally, the MoU will facilitate exchanges between scientific personnel, students, and postdoctoral researchers. Both partners will also cooperate on climate change adaptation efforts and organize joint conferences and workshops to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration.

To maintain progress in sustainable agriculture and water management practices that benefit Egyptian farmers and the broader agricultural sector, the MoU will remain in effect for three years, with automatic renewal for the same duration.

This MoU signifies a significant commitment between MWRI and ICARDA to facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, programs, and projects to support each other in the joint endeavor to enhance smallholder livelihoods, end rural poverty, and enhance food and water security in Egypt.

ICARDA works closely with national partners and governments to deliver resilient, climate-smart food systems by undertaking innovative, science-based research for development. Together, we improve food and nutrition security and the livelihoods of communities in climate-vulnerable dry regions of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.