Egypt, ICARDA discuss water conservation and solar-powered irrigation cooperation

Egypt's irrigation minister met ICARDA's director general to advance cooperation on water rationalization, solar-powered irrigation, and agricultural productivity.

• Sweilem and Haddad discussed water-use rationalization, modernizing irrigation systems, and expanding renewable-energy use in farming.
• The two sides reviewed the 2025–2027 joint work program, underpinned by a memorandum signed at Cairo Water Week 2024.
• A FAO water-scarcity initiative includes a desalination pilot at the Wadi El-Natrun research station and field schools for farmers in Qena and Kafr El-Sheikh.
• They discussed the Japanese-backed "Enhancing Food Security in Egypt" project, covering solar-powered irrigation, soil-salinity management, and digital tools.