Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has held a key meeting with ministers and government officials to discuss the improvement of irrigation systems for sugarcane cultivation. The goal is to increase crop yields while reducing water usage, a move seen as crucial for food security and better resource management, reported Daily News Egypt.
Madbouly underlined the importance of modernising agriculture and irrigation, saying that effective water management is essential in adapting to environmental challenges and maintaining the steady supply of food products. “Sugarcane is a strategic crop that must be cultivated using modern methods to increase production and meet local demand,” he said.
Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa El-Din Farouk outlined the potential of advanced irrigation techniques in sugarcane farming. He explained that methods like drip irrigation and improved field irrigation could reduce water usage by up to 30%, cut down on fertiliser use, lower weed growth, reduce overall farming costs, and increase yields.
Farouk also highlighted supporting agricultural practices such as laser land levelling and raised bed planting, which further improve water efficiency. He presented a detailed overview of the costs, benefits, and challenges of implementing these methods, and suggested practical solutions to ease adoption.
The minister noted that many farmers are already using these techniques due to their affordability and ease of use, adding that there is room for wider adoption across the country.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Sherif Farouk, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Mostafa El-Sayyad, and Colonel Bahaa El-Ghannam, Executive Director of the Egypt’s Future for Sustainable Development Authority, along with other senior officials.
