Egypt, EU launch ‘Young Water Ambassadors Initiative’

CAIRO – 15 December 2020: The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) in cooperation with the European Union-funded EU Water Sector Technical Assistance and Reforms Support (EU Water STARS) project is launching the Youth Water Ambassadors Initiative.

 "The initiative is being launched to increase the commitment and loyalty of Egyptian primary school students and make use of their awareness raising efforts in their local communities by serving as role models in carrying out water conservation practices and educating their family members and peers on the importance of carrying out similar practices," said Dr. Mohamed Abdel Aaty, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation.

 Abdel Aaty will commission 40 students from schools across the country to take on the role of “Young Water Ambassadors" The students were all participants in the Young Water Ambassadors Competition for Water Conservation ("Save it … You will find it") which was launched via the EU Water STARS Project's social media accounts.

The "Farmers Water Ambassadors Initiative" will also be launched involving farmer-pioneers in the use of modern irrigation methods.  30 farmers from across the country will begin their mission as Farmers Water Ambassadors following the launch of the initiative at a special event to be held under the auspices of Minister Abdel Aaty.  The selected farmers are the winners of the National Water Conservation Competition "Save it to find it" which has been held over the course of the last three years.

"The initiative will incorporate various segments of the society including primary school students, media youth (professionals and hobbyists), internet bloggers, students and graduates of Technical and Vocational Institutes and Universities, the private sector as well as other segments in a bid to reach the largest possible number of sectors in the society,” the Minister said.

Abdel Aaty added that the transfer of knowledge from one farmer to another is the easiest and fastest way to raise awareness. The Minister expressed confidence that the efforts of the farmers to conserve water through the use of modern irrigation systems would increase their productivity and boost their incomes, in addition to affording them better standards of living and elevating their status in the society.

The initiative also aims to capitalize on the efforts of the farmers –the winning contestants in the National Water Conservation Competition-to raise awareness of other farmers in their regions through knowledge-transfer sessions on their farms. Sharing their experiences and expertise in the use of modern irrigation methods with neighboring farmers during field visits and offering the latter advice and guidance  on how to implement the modern irrigation methods can have a ripple effect, encouraging other farmers to replace the old flood irrigation method with   modern irrigation systems so that they too may reap the benefits of increased productivity and better crop yields. This is particularly important in light of the water scarcity crisis both nationally and globally.

Modern irrigation systems are considered an effective alternative to the traditional flood or surface irrigation system as the former not only yield better crops but also increase productivity in addition to helping save costs by using less labor and less fertilizers and pesticides. Moreover, modern irrigation systems are suitable for all agricultural land—old and new.

The Ministry in cooperation with the EU Water STARS Project will cover the activities of the Farmers Water Ambassadors via their various social media accounts and through various media outlets (broadcast, print and online) to highlight the importance of  transitioning to modern irrigation methods by the largest number of farmers in various Egyptian governorates.   

Press release from the EU mission in Egypt