Egyptian authorities want to turn arid land into fertile land

The Egyptian authorities are trying to implement a large-scale project “Future of Egypt” to turn the Western Desert into land suitable for agriculture.

The project aims to restore 1.8 million hectares of land by 2030. It will also reduce imports of major agricultural crops to replace imports of 2 million tons of wheat, 180 thousand tons of corn and 360 thousand tons of sugar annually. The authorities also plan to increase exports of agricultural products by 20-25% for the next five years. The total cost of the project exceeds 160 million dollars, but it will save about 3.7 billion dollars a year.

Despite the ambitiousness of the project, some problems accompany it. One of the main difficulties is water scarcity. Unlike the fertile soils of the Nile Valley, the sands of the Western Desert have long been arid and nutrient-poor. Groundwater is used to irrigate the new fields, depleting and salinizing the soils.

In addition, part of the project’s economy is controlled by the Egyptian military. The military uses its privileged position in the country to outmaneuver competitors. This raises doubts about the effectiveness of the project.

Critics also point out that large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a new capital and the expansion of the Suez Canal, jeopardize the country’s financial stability. However, Egypt has received significant financial aid from international partners, including $35 billion from the UAE and $16 billion from the IMF and the EU.

Tags: Egypt, corn, wheat