Integrated Desert Farming Project for Resilient Livelihoods in Egypt

Country/Site

Egypt

CopSyS contact (Name and email)

Abebe Bezaiet Dessalegn
b.dessalegn@cgiar.org

1.Problem Definition

Are there clear complex challenges (wicked problems) that require a systemic and interdisciplinary approach?

Subtropical desert systems face complex challenges. The New Valley (NV) governorate in Egypt is no exception and deals with several challenges including water scarcity (very low rainfall, depletion of groundwater), water quality (high levels of salinity or iron content), poor soil quality, extreme weather fluctuations (seasonal and diurnal temperature range), land scarcity and degradation, physical isolation with poor access to essential services (extension, input/output markets, credit, etc.) - which collectively result in low animal and crop productivity and fragile livelihoods. Farmers in the area primarily rely on a mixed crop-livestock system with agroforestry (date palms, fruit trees, and other windbreaker trees) also playing a critical role in supporting their livelihoods. The system thus offers great opportunities for integration among farming activities to leverage agro-ecological processes and for harnessing circular economies to sustainably support the farming system and the livelihoods it supports. Average land holding in the New Valley is relatively larger compared to the Delta, due to its lower population density thus offering greater opportunities to introduce new integrated packages.

2. Disciplinary strength

Are there previous studies with strong disciplinary research and development efforts and main issues and single component options identified?

The proposed pilot site served as one of the project implementation sites for an “Integrated Desert Farming Project for Resilient Livelihoods” (IDFRL) designed to scale different packages of technologies intended to improve sustainable management and utilization of scarce resources, promote diversification and integration across the different components of the agricultural system, improve overall farm productivity and efficiency, and ultimately enhance the socio-ecological resilience of livelihoods. The project was implemented with a multi-disciplinary team comprising of experts in - livestock and feed management, cereal and legumes, agronomy, water, IPM, socio-economist, and gender. Two studies were recently completed (preliminary research) to establish indicative evidence for - integration and systemic biophysical benefits, technology selection and packaging, and the economic costs and benefits of adopting recommended packages.

3. Data richness

Have previous and current R&D activities generated sufficient specific or disciplinary data?

The IDFRL project promoted several packages of solutions/practices that cut across the different system components including – different seeds of improved varieties of cereal, legume and fodder crops that are adapted to prevalent biotic and abiotic stress (intercropped between trees or open field), alternative feed (eg. azolla production under palm trees, and silage produced with crop residues and palm leaves), nature-based soil amendments (e.g. compost and biochar), and vegetable production.

Preliminary socio-economic and biophysical data were collected from selected sites to establish evidence for integration. Collected data include: inputs of soil additives (e.g. compost and biochar); fertilizers; irrigation methods; and application of pest control treatments and final yield (fodder, cereals, and legumes); farm sizes and land allocation; crop distribution; applied agronomic practices; crop budget for selected cereal, legume and fodder crops; cost of production, net profit and return on investment for selected packages.

4. Development partnership

Are there partner institutions engaged in developing the region through socio-technical innovations?

The NV site was managed and activities implemented in partnership with a strong national partner – the Desert Research Center (DRC) which is mandated to conduct basic and applied research across the country’s desert and reclaimed land areas focusing on - natural resource management (land and water), plant production, animal husbandry, ecology, socioeconomic studies, as well as monitoring and assessing desertification causes. DRC also plays a critical role in proposing general policy directives for the most appropriate investment in the Egyptian desert; setting scientific and practical plans for the reclamation, cultivation and development of desert areas; organizing multi-purpose training programs to raise the technological level of the desert development staff at the local and the international levels; and participating in developing agricultural extension programs according to the results of research and experiments.

5. National investment plans aligned

Are there national investment plans aligned or prioritized?

Desert farming is an integral part of the national strategy to reclaim and convert desert land into arable land to increase national food security, enhance export, and create new jobs through newly established farms for relocated/resettled communities. As part of this strategy the government currently runs several large-scale initiatives to reclaim millions of feddans such as the “New Delta Project” and the “Future of Egypt” and encourages private investment.

6. Representativeness

Is the case study representative of a wider region or other sites?

Only 5% of Egypt is considered arable and habitable with the remaining 95% classified as desert. With growing population and increasing demand for food and employment, the government is aggressively pursuing mechanisms to reclaim desert lands and convert them into productive resources that can sustainably support livelihoods. One of these strategies is to promote desert farming which poses numerous complex and intricate biophysical and socio-economic challenges. The NV site thus is representative of the millions of acres of land intended to be reclaimed and can serve as a great testbed to design a sustainable, integrated, and efficient farming system models that can be replicated and have substantial impact in achieving the country’s vision.

8. Donor interest

Are there donors interested in specific region/issue and prioritized for investment?

There are many interests in desert farming – government, private, as well as international organizations (FAO and the WB). The IDFRL project was funded by the Spanish Cooperation and there is a good potential that it can be extended by another two years (2026-2028).