Rising sea levels threaten Egypt's fertile plains in the Nile Delta

Rising sea levels threaten Egypt's fertile plains in the Nile Delta

“These are the new lands,” we’re told as we drive towards the Motobas area in the delta of the mighty River Nile.

Less than ten years ago, these lands were barren, unpopulated and far from clean water.

But today, we pass plot after plot of ploughed fields, fed by irrigation canals, while communities are springing up as people move from intensely populated areas to these new lands, rich with employment opportunities.

The land that runs alongside the Nile has always been fertile, so much so that the ancient Egyptians were one of the first groups of people to practice agriculture on a large scale.

But as the earth’s temperatures rise, so too do sea levels, making this low-lying area one of the world’s three most vulnerable hot-spots to climate change impacts.

As well as heatwaves, people here have to contend with increased salinity of the soil as sea water infiltrates farmland.

Higher salt content means means that once dependable crops are now failing, their roots consumed by the salty earth. Instead, farmers are turning to more resilient crops.

It’s not just local people who are suffering the consequences. The Nile Delta is the breadbasket of Egypt, accounting for almost two thirds of the country's agricultural land and contributing to a fifth of the national GDP.

Thanks to the Sustainable Agriculture Investments and Livelihoods (SAIL) project, infrastructure, training and services are combined to not only protect the land, but also to improve the quality of previously infertile land.

IFAD's Goodwill Ambassador, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, IFAD colleagues, SAIL coordinators and project participants tell us about SAIL's impact on people’s lives.

Houses powered by urea

Sabrina Dhowre Elba, IFAD Goodwill Ambassador

The moment I met Soso Mohamed Ali Yousef, I was inspired.

She greeted us in front of her house, excited to show us the new biogas system that has changed her life for the better. This simple but innovative system converts urea from livestock into gas for cooking.

Inside, she showed us the stove where, earlier that day, she had cooked rice and meat for herself and her three children.

Thanks to the biogas, she no longer has to buy gas cannisters, saving about US$ 8 a month at current prices.

But that’s not all. She uses the bi-product from the biogas system as fertilizer, nourishing her clover plants and citrus trees. I tried the oranges for myself—they’re delicious!

I was overwhelmed to see this woman’s strength and the huge changes a relatively simple—and sustainable—technology can make in people’s lives.

An entire ecosystem under one roof

Hany Darwish, SAIL Project Coordinator

Aquaponics need to be seen to be believed. This simple system creates a mutually beneficial relationship, whereby water from a fish tank cycles through grow beds, which then cycles back to the fish.

The plants grow quickly thanks to round-the-clock access to nutrients that the fish provide.

The farmers here are hopeful—this environmentally friendly, easy to maintain and nutrient-rich method of agriculture means they have a steady source of income while also feeding themselves.

What’s more, aquaponics systems can be set up in gardens or even on rooftops, making the most of the land available.

As droughts and heatwaves become more frequent, aquaponics—which uses up to 90 per cent less water compared to traditional farming systems—offers farmers here a more resilient future.

Closing the loop

Madiha Hamdy Abdel Raouf, SAIL project participant

My life before was very different—although I’ve always loved sewing. I used to struggle to make ends meet, with just one basic sewing machine.

Then I heard about SAIL. Through the project, I received training and two more machines.

It was life changing. With the money I earned from selling my products at the market, I bought another sewing machine and am training young women so they can earn a living themselves.

And with my income, I can invest in my children’s education.

Sustainability is second nature to me. I use recycled materials to create my garments. Other members of SAIL's Green Country Women Association—which provides us with training and other support—use textile cut-offs to create handwoven rugs.

Channelling the way to a better future

Dina Saleh, IFAD Regional Director

East Africa is experiencing an unprecedented drought. Agriculture in Egypt has always depended on irrigation, making the most of the usually abundant Nile.

But the farmers I met in the fields told me how a lack of water means they cannot grow. They told me how fertilizer and other inputs are now more expensive, and how the soil—that was once so fertile—is damaging their crops, rather than nourishing them.

These farmers are victims of the compounding crises we hear so much about these days: climate change, conflict and the global food crisis.

But there is hope.

Beside us runs a canal filled with clean water, thanks to investments by IFAD and government partners. By managing water through irrigation and agricultural practices, these farmers are using water efficiently and making a living despite the climate crisis.

Having seen the impact on the ground for myself, I can say that there is no more relevant institution to deal with the types of issues that farmers are experiencing at this time than IFAD.

Turning urea into gas for cooking. Converting barren lands through irrigation. Plants and fish thriving symbiotically. Textiles given a second life.

The Nile Delta is a land of transformation.

SAIL plays a part in this, going beyond agricultural solutions to give rural communities support that is tailored to their needs, resources and skills.