Context
Egypt’s climate can be categorised as a hot, arid desert climate with a low level of precipitation. Due to the rapid growth of population and the strained economy, the country’s natural resources, and especially the limited water resources from the River Nile, are under great pressure today. Climate change in Egypt is expected to result in more frequent and intensive climate-related threats and hazards, such as extreme temperatures, heat waves, increased soil salinity, sea level rise, seawater intrusion into groundwater, and degradation of natural resources.
Most vulnerable to climate change are Egypt’s water resources and agriculture. Climate change will potentially result in damages to human settlements in parts of the productive agricultural land and in industrial areas along the North Coast.
The Government of Egypt has responded to the pressing threat of climate change by forming an inter-ministerial National Climate Change Committee and developing various general and sectorspecific strategies, which cover identified priority sectors (water, agriculture, costal zones, tourism, housing, roads and health), priority mitigation and adaptation measures, and the costs of
addressing climate change.
Objective
Agricultural Water Productivity is improved as a means to adapt to climate change by optimising fertilizer utilisation and pesticides, the use of agricultural inputs, crop rotation and the planting
calendar.
Primary objectives to improve adaptation processes are:
• Providing information and training through extensionists to farmers on resource-conserving agricultural practices and irrigation methods.
• Developing primary guidelines for reuse of treated drainage and waste-water in agriculture.
• Improving knowledge management of climate change relevant information within the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.
• Strengthening social re sponsibility to improve water quality, solid waste management and efficient use of water.
Activities are closely coordinated with all relevant stakeholders and other donor-funded projects working in the sector.
Impact
Adapted farming and improved irrigation methods increase water productivity, while protecting soil and water resources. The reuse of treated drainage and waste-water leads to an increased availability of irrigation water, thus making farmers and other water users less vulnerable.
Ensuring and improving agricultural production provides food and income security.
Improved national regulatory framework conditions for climate change adaptation result in increased agricultural water productivity at the farm-level.
Increased energy efficiency in water supply enhances water productivity, while reducing the energy demand, thus contributing to both adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.