PM: Egypt pushing smarter sugarcane irrigation to save water, boost output

Egypt’s Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly chaired a meeting on Tuesday to review plans to modernise irrigation systems for sugarcane cultivation as part of efforts to improve water management and ensure food security, the Cabinet said.

The prime minister stressed the government’s commitment to advancing agricultural and irrigation projects to safeguard water resources, adapt to environmental shifts, and secure agricultural output for the local market.

Sugarcane is a strategic crop for Egypt, and Prime Minister Madbouly called for wider adoption of modern farming techniques to raise productivity and reduce reliance on traditional water-intensive methods.

Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk said upgrading irrigation systems could save around 30 per cent of water used in sugarcane farming while lowering input and weed control costs. He pointed to strong potential for scaling up water-efficient practices, many of which are affordable and already familiar to farmers.

Officials outlined options such as drip irrigation, improved surface irrigation systems, laser land levelling, and ridge planting, highlighting their benefits, cost structures, and implementation challenges.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser