Awareness Seminars and Practical Training to Enhance Food Security and Promote Sustainable Farming Practices
Under the patronage of Dr. Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity, and Dr. Jacqueline Azar, Governor of Beheira, and under the supervision of Dr. Magda Galala, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Coordination Committee of the Project “Adaptation to Climate Change and Protection of Agricultural Land”—implemented by the Egyptian Society for Local Community Development and funded by the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP)—held its meeting this week at the office of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, with the participation of Dr. Emad El-Din Adly, National Director of the Small Grants Programme, via Zoom.
The meeting, which included representatives from various executive and agricultural bodies in the governorate, reviewed the project’s achievements, particularly the implementation of Field Schools for Farmers in Kafr El-Dawar and Abu Hummus. These field schools have successfully transferred technical expertise to help farmers confront the impacts of climate change, improve the management of strategic crops, and reduce pollution caused by burning agricultural waste. Discussions also covered plans to combat the “black cloud” resulting from rice straw burning, and to enhance agricultural waste recycling efforts as a means of providing economic empowerment opportunities for rural women, ensuring the integration of the project’s environmental and developmental objectives.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Hani Habiba, Chairman of the Society’s Board, presented an overview of the project’s work components, the number of farmers benefiting from the field schools, the villages where the project is being implemented, and the criteria for selecting strategic crops to help close the national food gap. He also addressed the project’s waste recycling component and its role in achieving women’s economic empowerment in rural areas.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hosni Azzam, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, spoke about the project’s role in spreading agricultural extension practices to protect crops from climate change and reduce pollution caused by burning agricultural residues.
Dr. Magda Galala highlighted the project’s contribution to improving the living standards of rural families and empowering women economically. Dr. Ali Douma, Director of the Environmental Affairs Agency in Beheira, discussed the project’s importance in protecting the environment from pollution caused by agricultural waste burning, stressing the need to identify appropriate machinery to prevent such practices and reduce the environmental impacts of the “black cloud,” particularly those resulting from rice straw burning.
Dr. Yasser Hegazy, Project Manager, delivered a detailed presentation on the project’s progress and future plans. Participants commended the positive outcomes, the effectiveness of the agricultural training cycles, and the interaction between agricultural engineers and trainers involved in the program.
Practical Training for Farmers on Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices
As part of the summer season activities of the field schools, farmers in Abu Hummus continued receiving hands-on training on agro-ecosystem analysis and environmentally friendly pest control methods for cotton crops. The training sessions, conducted with the participation of agricultural consultants and facilitators from Kafr El-Dawar and Abu Hummus, resulted in the formation of a core group of local agricultural experts capable of spreading sustainable farming practices among small farmers.
These efforts align with the project’s goal to empower farmers with scientific tools and practical knowledge to tackle the challenges posed by climate change to agriculture—while maintaining production quality and reducing crop loss rates.
Awareness Seminars to Build Climate Resilience
In a related activity, the Egyptian Society for Local Community Development, in cooperation with the Beheira Directorate of Agriculture, organized an awareness seminar at the Agricultural Extension Center in the village of Qafla, Abu Hummus district. The event brought together a group of experts and officials.
During the session, Dr. Khairy El-Gaafary, Climate Change Consultant for the project, presented an overview of the impacts of climate change on Egyptian agriculture and adaptation strategies to sustain productivity and minimize losses. The seminar witnessed strong engagement from attending farmers, who actively participated, raised questions, and benefited from the practical guidance provided.
Through these integrated efforts, the “Adaptation to Climate Change and Protection of Agricultural Land” project—implemented through field schools in Beheira Governorate—continues to raise environmental awareness and provide practical solutions that combine environmental protection with rural economic development, serving as a model for sustainable agricultural development in Egypt.