The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation follows up on training programs to ensure water security

The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation follows up on training programs to ensure water security

Within the framework of the development process taking place in all sectors of the Egyptian state to advance the human element, build new capabilities, achieve Egypt’s Vision 2030, and preservewater and food security, especially with the surrounding regional developments, Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, followed up on the achievements of the Regional Training Center in several axes that serve the new system, the most important of which are: digital transformation, human resources development, awareness, and smart water management. Rehabilitation of facilities and canals, governance and the initial role.

Smart water management and agricultural wastewater treatment

The center conducted 38 specialized training programs in the field of artificial intelligence and geographic information systems, and established a smart farm within the “Water Knowledge” project as a practical application of smart irrigation. A simulation model of the new Delta plant for treating agricultural wastewater is also being created, which works to achieve integration between practical and theoretical training, in addition to establishing a laboratory specialized in artificial intelligence and modern agricultural applications such as:

• Hydroponic: It is a method of growing plants without the need for soil, as the necessary nutrients are provided to the plants in a water solution. This technology is considered sustainable because it consumes smaller amounts of water and allows cultivation in places that are limited or unsuitable for traditional agriculture. It also increases productivity and reduces the use of pesticides.
• Aquaponics: It is an integrated agricultural system that combines fish farming and aquaculture of plants in one integrated cycle. The fish secrete waste rich in nitrogen, which plays the role of natural food for the plants. The plants then work to filter the water and remove ammonia and nutrients harmful to the fish, which in turn allows pure water to be circulated back to the fish ponds. This system is characterized by efficient use of water and reduces the need for pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and aims to produce an abundant crop of fish. And vegetables at the same time.

6 training programs were also implemented, scientific and awareness trips were organized to the “Siam Bari” Institute in Italy to learn about modern methods of water treatment and its uses, field visits were made to agricultural drainage treatment plants in Egypt, and workshops were launched with the participation of 52 irrigation engineers and Ministry specialists to recycle water and utilize it in irrigation work to avoid wasting resources and achieve water and food security.

Rehabilitation of water facilities and canals

The training programs also included 27 field training programs with the participation of more than 800 trainees to train on the rehabilitation of water facilities and canals through the various stages from design to rehabilitation, operation and management, in addition to a guidebook for the rehabilitation of canals for engineers.

Community participation and learning about modern irrigation techniques

In cooperation with international organizations such as FAO and ICARDA, the center conducted 27 training programs on modern irrigation systems and management of small and medium enterprises, in addition to training farmers on modern irrigation methods and empowering women and all civil society in managing water resources, as water resources belong to everyone and we must all protect our water security.

In the field of water awareness, the Center launched the “On the Cod” campaign for imams of mosques, which included 29 awareness seminars, and also launched the Water Ambassadors Program in its second and third editions, to qualify community opinion leaders to spread the culture of water conservation and rationalization of consumption.

International and regional cooperation in water resources and irrigation

At the international level, the center launched 27 training programs and two international diplomas with the participation of 509 trainees from 45 Arab, African and Asian countries, which included scientific visits to the ministry’s major projects such as the new Delta treatment plant and the Nile Water Sector Forecasting Center.

The Center also launched the Water Ambassadors Program in Africa for the first time, in addition to the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Initiative in Water Resources Management, and the Water Sustainability Hackathon Competition, in which 5 innovative projects from Egypt and several African countries won.

Mr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, stated that the Ministry is continuing to implement training programs in various sectors and linking them to the national strategic objectives to achieve comprehensive, sustainable development and preserve water and food security for Egypt, and that developing workers’ skills comes first and foremost towards smart and sustainable management of water resources.

Based on the importance of preserving water resources as part of national security,The Earth Guards Foundation encourages the launch of such training programs and knowledge of modern techniques for irrigation and treatment of agricultural wastewater, and to make awareness of its importance not limited to engineers, specialists and farmers, as all people must feel the necessity of preserving our water resources and achieving security. water and food to advance comprehensive sustainable development.