Egypt inaugurates water-preserving national greenhouse project

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday (February 8th) inaugurated the first phase of a project to build 100,000 greenhouses to grow agricultural products using less water for irrigation than used in traditional farming, Ahram Online reported.

Using water-preserving irrigation systems in agriculture is extremely important, he said during the inauguration at the Mohamed Naguib military base in Hammam city in Marsa Matrouh governorate, stressing that "Egyptians must be careful with every drop of water they use".

The first phase of the project includes the construction of hundreds of greenhouses on 20,000 feddans in four different location nationwide, including the Hammam area, 10th of Ramadan City in Sharqiya governorate, Abu Sultan and Amal village in Ismailia governorate.

Some 1,418 greenhouses will be built over 4,900 feddans in the Hammam area, said Gen. Mohamed Abdel-Hai, head of the National Company for Protected Agriculture.

During the inauguration, al-Sisi stressed that water conservation is a responsibility that should be shouldered by both the state and the Egyptian people.

The project aims to grow fresh, high-quality, pollutant-free produce and make the most efficient use of land and water, while providing new job opportunities, he said.

The greenhouse project employs civilians and does not aim to substitute for the role of the private sector, he said, stressing that the greenhouses are available for rent to private businessmen.

He said the produce from the greenhouses will not be exported and will only be used to meet domestic demand.

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