Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat Continues Field Visit of the SAIL Project Activities in Minya

Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat inspects the development of irrigation systems, solar power stations, and field and agricultural schools in the West Samalut area.

 “Al-Mashat”: EGP 62 billion investments allocated to develop Upper Egypt governorates in the current fiscal year, with 11% allocated to Minya.

EGP 43 billion invested in Minya Governorate across various sectors as part of the first phase of the “Decent Life” initiative.

 Agriculture is a major contributor to GDP, accounting for 12%.

 Enhancing sustainability in agriculture and irrigation drives job creation and supports economic development.

 

In continuation of her inspection of the Sustainable Agriculture Investments and Livelihoods (SAIL) in Minya, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, accompanied by Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and the Governor of Minya, visited the West Samalut area to inspect the irrigation development works, solar power stations, and models of field and agricultural schools.

During her visit, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of projects implemented in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which have significantly enhanced the government's efforts to achieve comprehensive rural development. These projects have raised the standard of living for farmers, especially smallholders, and created job opportunities. She explained that the project aligns with the integrated support and partnership between the Egyptian government and the United Nations, through joint programs and coordinated efforts among UN agencies.

Al-Mashat highlighted the significance of irrigation and solar power projects for achieving agricultural sustainability in Egypt, emphasizing the government's commitment to utilizing water resources efficiently and supporting farmers with modern technologies that ensure increased productivity.

The Minister pointed to the integration of efforts between national entities—represented by the Ministries of Agriculture and Irrigation—and IFAD, to promote sustainability in agriculture and irrigation. Among the achievements of the project, irrigation systems were upgraded from flood irrigation to drip irrigation over 1,248 feddans along the Tarfa line in West Samalut, using solar power. Additionally, work has begun on Stations 12 and 13, covering 2,160 feddans, and development is underway at Station Zero, covering 981 feddans. Irrigation development on two additional branches of the Tarfa line is ongoing, covering 1,105 feddans in total.

Within the framework of the project, 12 solar energy units were provided for irrigation at Station 14 in Minya, along with the installation of 40 solar-powered pumps across Upper Egypt, converting irrigation systems for 135 farms, covering 675 feddans, from flood irrigation to drip irrigation.

During her visit to inspect models of field schools and crops, Al-Mashat explained that the project adopts the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) methodology, which emphasizes collective, market-based agricultural guidance and participatory learning. In collaboration with FAO, 172 new field schools are being established in the project areas, covering plant, animal, and climate change-related schools.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat further underscored the Egyptian state’s commitment to developing Upper Egypt, noting that the current fiscal year allocates EGP 62.4 billion for investment in the region, with EGP 7.4 billion directed to Minya, representing 11% of the total.

She also highlighted the substantial role of the presidential "Decent Life" initiative in achieving comprehensive rural development, particularly in Upper Egypt. Financial allocations for Upper Egypt governorates under the initiative’s first phase amount to approximately EGP 237 billion, with EGP 43.2 billion allocated to Minya Governorate alone.

Al-Mashat emphasized the agricultural sector’s significant contribution to Egypt’s GDP, accounting for 12%. She noted that promoting sustainability in agriculture and irrigation not only stimulates job creation but also supports broader economic development.

It is worth noting that the project has trained 240 stakeholders across governorates to raise awareness of smallholder farmers’ needs. Additionally, 125 beneficiaries from local communities were trained to promote climate-smart agricultural practices and natural resource management (NRM), with 66 field schools implemented for farmers and several managers and supervisors trained.