Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hany Sewilam affirmed on Sunday, June 14, 2026, that the ministry attaches great importance to climate adaptation projects and enhancing the efficiency of water management and use, particularly in light of current water and climate challenges.
He stressed the importance of expanding the application of modern irrigation systems and sustainable solutions that contribute to improving the efficiency of water-resource utilization, achieving food security, and supporting farmers. Sewilam made these remarks during a meeting held by the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation with a number of ministry officials to review the status of the Climate-Resilient on-Farm Water Management in the Nile Valley (CROWN) project.
The project is implemented in cooperation with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. It is considered one of the leading strategic projects included in the national platform of the NWFE program.
During the meeting, the project's objectives were reviewed, primarily empowering smallholder farmers, improving on-farm irrigation efficiency to reduce water losses, increasing crop productivity, and creating more than 21,000 job opportunities in rural areas. The project relies on solar energy systems as the primary option for operating pumping stations, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions, expanding the use of clean energy, and achieving environmental sustainability.
The first phase of the project is expected to span approximately seven years, targeting Minya and Beni Suef governorates across an area of 30,000 feddans, including 25,000 feddans of old agricultural land and 5,000 feddans of sandy land. The second phase will witness gradual expansion to include governorates in Middle and Upper Egypt, covering a total of 400,000 feddans.
Meanwhile, the meeting reviewed the project's estimated cost. The total projected cost for all phases stands at $1.66 billion, with $162.6 million allocated to the first phase. The first phase is divided into three main components: infrastructure and irrigation, valued at $115.7 million and accounting for 71.2 percent of the budget; value chains and agriculture, valued at $36.6 million and representing 22.5 percent; and policy support and management, valued at $10.3 million, accounting for 6.3 percent of the budget.
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