Egypt is essentially a large desert. Approximately 96% of its total land
area is arid desert, and only 4% is cultivated land. Almost all of its
population live and work in the Valley region. With an annual population
growth of 2.5%, reclaiming desert land for agriculture and increasing food
production has become one of the main targets of the Egyptian government.
Agricultural cooperation between Egypt and Israel is also an important
contribution to the peace process between the two countries. The basis for
this fruitful cooperation is an Agricultural Cooperation Agreement signed
in March 1980. Since then, both countries have been actively involved in a
cooperative process, with emphasis on arid-zone development, irrigation,
open-field plastic covered vegetable production, veterinary vaccine
production and fruiticulture.
Activities include a trilateral agricultural cooperation programme with
Denmark (DANIDA), in the field of training, and with the United States
(USAID), a programme in applied research arid operational development
projects, such as the Nubaseed Demonstration Farm.
Moreover, in 1997, DANIDA initiated a multilateral Regional Agricultural
Programme (RAP) for training and research development, involving Egypt,
Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.
The Nubaseed Demonstration Farm
The Nubaseed Demonstration Farm, established in 1987, is a result of a
cooperative endeavour between the government of Egypt, Israel, the United
States (USAID). The farm is the property of the Egyptian Ministry of
Agriculture, arid extends over some 15 hectares. It lies about 85 km south
of Alexandria, Egypt's second largest city on the shores of the
Mediterranean Sea.
Israel's involvement
Israel's involvement in the project consists in the transfer of know-how,
technologies, expertise and providing advisory services on managing the
farm. Israel has also supplied the necessary implements arid various
agricultural inputs, including a modern irrigation network, pesticides,
up-to-date fertilizing systems, greenhouses, tunnels, etc., as well is ill
grafted fruit-tree seedlings and seeds for seasonal vegetables, such as
melons, high quality tomato, cucumbers, watermelons, ground nuts, and
sweet peppers.
Today, these seeds are diffused throughout the entire country. The
greatest part of the farm is planted with deciduous fruit trees, such as
apples, peaches, nectarines and apricots. These specific trees were chosen
due to the demand of the local markets.
The location of the farm was chosen because of its geographical climatic
position. It lies in an arid area of the Western desert, where the
following characteristics are particularly salient:
Soil: the soil is composed of about 80% of sand, with particles of
chalk and minerals;
Rainfall: the quantity of rainfall in this area is negligible;
Humidity: the whole area is very dry, with a very high degree of
evaporation;
Temperature: usually quite high temperatures are prevailing all year
round, with temperatures reaching over 30o even during the winter season;
Winds: strong gusts of wind during most periods of the year require
the construction of windbreakers to protect the crops;
Radiation: UV radiation is severe all year round;
Water: water supply for irrigation comes from the Nile River, through
the Nasser Canal.
The two main objectives guiding the establishment of the demonstration
farm were, primarily, the creation of a pilot farm, where modern
technologies in agriculture could be displayed, especially in the desert
region, which constitutes most of Egypt's territory; and to fully perform
as a self-sustaining and commercially profitable farm. Recently, the farm
was able to show a net annual profit of around 100,000 US Dollars. In its
efforts to modernize the agricultural sector to produce more food for an
ever growing population, Egypt has undertaken a series of reforms,
encouraging young graduates to settle in villages created in arid lands
reclaimed from the desert where they endeavour to work their plot of laud
and transform it into a profitable farm.
Cooperation
The establishment of the Nubaseed Demonstration Farm enabled Israel,
through the Centre for International Cooperation (MASHAV), and with the
cooperation of the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and USAID, to show and
teach modern technologies, especially to inexperienced farmers. The Peace
Treaty signed between Egypt and Israel in 1979, enabled a reconciliation
between the two peoples that produced a closer cooperation between
professionals on both sides of the border, especially in the field of
agriculture.
This Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture, MASHAV and USAID project aspires to
address key agricultural issues, endeavours to focus on modern
agricultural technologies, and promote economic ventures. This ongoing
agricultural and technological cooperation is also an important
contribution to the peace process. It reflects Israel's commitment and
dedication to share with others advanced technologies, know-how, human
resource enrichment and practical experience, gained in agricultural and
rural development, adapted to each country's specific needs and the
relevant conditions of its agronomical sector.