Media Advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Ahmed Ibrahim said upgrading the irrigation system is part of the State’s efforts to manage water resources, realize optimal benefit from it, save water amounts required to support the State’s water management plan and increase reclamation of agricultural land to plant strategic crops, with a view to realizing food security.
In statements to MENA Sunday, the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation ‘s media advisor said the new irrigation system also implies rationalizing use of composts, fertilizers and pesticides that would all benefit farmers, as it would also help reduce cost of handling grass that usually grows in the course of using old irrigation techniques.
All efforts are meant to increase average yield per feddan and reduce energy costs, added the official.
Meantime, the agriculture official highlighted the important role of media in raising awareness among farmers on the importance of joining the new irrigation system and benefiting for incentive packages offered by the State.
The State has been incorporating a project to switch from flood irrigation to modern irrigation systems, he said, adding that the first phase is being finalized, including one million feddans.
The upcoming phase of the project aims to transform 3.7 million feddans from flood irrigation to modern irrigation systems, said the official underlining the unprecedented financial advantages and benefits offered by the State to incentivize farmers, as per President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s directives in this regard.
Source: State Information Service Egypt