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.

“ICARDA, the only dryland agri-research center located in the arid MENA region, has outstanding expertise in on-farm water management, food security, digitalization, and capacity building that aligns perfectly with our needs in Egypt. We wholeheartedly endorse ICARDA's efforts and express our gratitude to this longstanding trusted partner for decades of fruitful collaboration.” H.E. Prof. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation

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. 

“Strengthened cooperation with our esteemed long-term partner, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, is vital to the partner-led agri-innovations of ICARDA that improve food, land, and water systems in Egypt and beyond. Such collaboration is crucial to boosting the resilience of smallholder dryland farmers in the face of accelerating climate change.” Aly Abousabaa, Director General, ICARDA

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.

 “We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. Drawing on our 40 years of expertise in dryland agriculture, we will continue to introduce and scale water innovations in Egypt to enhance agricultural productivity, boost food security, and improve the livelihoods of dryland communities in the midst of climate change.” Dr. Vinay Nangia, Research Team Leader, Soil , Water and Agronomy, ICARDA

 

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.

 “In water-stressed Egypt, agriculture, irrigation, and water management are interlinked. With the Ministry of Agriculture, we aim to modernize our irrigation systems and boost agricultural productivity. ICARDA, renowned for its expertise in water-scarce regions like ours, offers extensive on-the-ground experience with local farmers and can guide on digital transformation, smart agriculture, and technological enhancements.” Eng. Walid Hakiki, Head of the Planning Sector, MWRI

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.