Professor Dr. Hani Sewilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, participated in the opening of the “Sahara” Exhibition, in the presence of Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation; MP Hisham El-Hosary; Hany Khafagy, General Manager of Informa Egypt; as well as a number of ambassadors, investors, company representatives, experts, farmers, young people, and entrepreneurs.
In his speech, Dr. Sewilem expressed his pleasure at the role of the “Sahara” Exhibition as an important platform bringing together water, agriculture, technology, and investment—fields that have become more interconnected than ever. He emphasized the importance of strengthening an integrated partnership among the state, farmers, the private sector, scientists, and entrepreneurs, expressing his hope that the exhibition would help turn this vision into tangible solutions, investments, and projects on the ground.
Dr. Sewilem added that Egypt is facing growing water challenges due to population growth and the impacts of climate change. Per capita water availability has declined from around 2,000 cubic meters annually in the 1960s to approximately 472 cubic meters today. Despite these challenges, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is working efficiently to meet the water needs of various users amid a growing population of around 120 million people and the expansion of development projects across the country.
Dr. Sewilem highlighted the importance of providing modern technological tools in irrigation and agriculture to help rationalize water consumption and maximize agricultural productivity per unit of land and water. He noted that the Ministry is working toward this goal in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and the private sector. He explained that the vision of the “Second Generation of the Water System 2.0” is based on treating water as a fundamental component of the development system and focuses on employing technology and scientific research in water management through mathematical models, digital applications, satellite imagery, drones, and artificial intelligence technologies.
Dr. Sewilem added that the Egyptian state has achieved significant progress in recent years in maximizing the use of every drop of water and has witnessed major advances in water treatment and reuse through the construction of the New Delta, Bahr El-Baqar, and Al-Mahsama treatment plants. Together, these facilities add approximately 4.80 billion cubic meters of treated water annually to the water system, supporting agricultural development and food security efforts in North and Central Sinai and the New Delta.
Dr. Sewilem also highlighted the Egyptian state’s success in strengthening governance and coordination among the various authorities concerned with water issues through the establishment of the National Water Council, chaired by the Prime Minister. The Ministry is also working to enhance communication and community participation with farmers by expanding the formation of Water User Associations at the level of canals, districts, and governorates, ultimately reaching the national level.
🖋️Source: National Media Authority online portal
