1

Desertification Challenge in EgyptDesertification Challenge in Egypt

Prof. Prof. IsmailIsmail AbdelAbdel GalilGalil HusseinHusseinChairman of Desert Research CenterChairman of Desert Research Center

National focal point of UNCCDNational focal point of UNCCD

EGYPTEGYPTIS HYPERARIDIS HYPERARID

• EgyptEgypt occupies about one million square occupies about one million square kilometers, 86% lies entirely in hyper arid and kilometers, 86% lies entirely in hyper arid and 14% in arid climatic conditions. 14% in arid climatic conditions. •• EgyptEgypt has early ratified the UNCCDhas early ratified the UNCCD ( July ( July 1995 )1995 )

2

Causes of desertificationCauses of desertificationHuman activities:Human activities:•• Global climate change Global climate change •• Extinction of biodiversityExtinction of biodiversity•• Contamination and pollution of air ,water, and land Contamination and pollution of air ,water, and land •• Enrichment of the resources with persistent organic pollutantEnrichment of the resources with persistent organic pollutants s •• Removal of biomass for fuelRemoval of biomass for fuel•• Over cultivationOver cultivation•• OvergrazingOvergrazing•• Mismanagement of water resourcesMismanagement of water resources•• Land miningLand mining

Climate variationsClimate variations

Indirect DriversIndirect Drivers• DemographicDemographic•• EconomicEconomic•• SocioSocio--politicalpolitical•• Science & Tech.Science & Tech.

PressurePressureEquilibriumEquilibrium

EcosystemEcosystemStateState

Desertification Indirect DriversDesertification Indirect Drivers

3

Threshold

Threshold

Desertification Direct DriversDesertification Direct DriversHumanHuman--induced Ecosystem imbalance induced Ecosystem imbalance

EquilibriumEquilibriumStateState

Extinction of Extinction of

biodiversitybiodiversity

Overexploitation of natural

Overexploitation of natural

esourcesesourcesG

lobal climate

Global clim

ate

changechange

Pollut

ion

Pollut

ion

Removal of biomass

Removal of biomass for fuelfor fuel

Urbanization

UrbanizationIntensive cultivation

Intensive cultivation

Overg

razin

g

Overg

razin

g

The Dilemma ???The Dilemma ???BalanceBalance

Food Security Food Security (Intensive cultivation)(Intensive cultivation)

WelfareWelfareIndividualism Individualism (Human(Human aspiration)aspiration)

NationalismNationalism

OverexploitationOverexploitationPollutionPollution

Nationalism Nationalism (sustainability)(sustainability)

GlobalizationGlobalization

4

Demographic PressureDemographic Pressure

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1897 1937 1947 1969 1979 1989 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2017

عدد السكان

Illiteracy rate + Religious + Culture and traditions reasonsIlliteracy rate + Religious + Culture and traditions reasons

A demographic imbalanceA demographic imbalanceInland migration towards the citiesInland migration towards the cities

Resulted in :Resulted in : Increasing population densityIncreasing population densityIncreasing unemployment ratesIncreasing unemployment rates

1700/km21700/km2

67/km267/km2

Led to : Led to : Increasing poverty ratesIncreasing poverty ratesIncreasing criminal actsIncreasing criminal acts

5

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

1897 1907 1917 1927 1937 1947 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Water hsare Per capita (m3)

Water ShortageWater Shortage

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1897 1937 1947 1969 1979 1989 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2017

عدد السكان

SalinitySalinity

About 2 million About 2 million feddansfeddans suffer from suffer from Stalinization problems.Stalinization problems.60% of the cultivated lands of Northern 60% of the cultivated lands of Northern Delta region are salt affected.Delta region are salt affected.

Due to:Due to:• The misuse of irrigation water .The misuse of irrigation water .•• Improper field drainage systems .Improper field drainage systems .( 4 million acres of 7.4 million have been provided with field ( 4 million acres of 7.4 million have been provided with field

drainage systems).drainage systems).

6

El-FayoumSiwa oases

Salt affected areas in EgyptSalt affected areas in Egypt

Inland migration towards the citiesInland migration towards the cities

Agriculture businessAgriculture businessNo moreNo moreProductiveProductiveProfitableProfitable

7

SocioSocio--economic aspectseconomic aspects

PrioritizationPrioritizationGlobalizationGlobalizationIndividualismIndividualism

?Food +……

Poor Water ManagementPoor Water Management

8

Unsustainable Agricultural Unsustainable Agricultural PracticesPractices

The use of water skimming wells in the costal areas ,where lensThe use of water skimming wells in the costal areas ,where lenses of thin es of thin fresh water exist .These kinds of wells require high degree of pfresh water exist .These kinds of wells require high degree of precision in recision in operation and management of the systemoperation and management of the system

Assessment of the ground water resources in quantity and Assessment of the ground water resources in quantity and quality is a must to mitigate :quality is a must to mitigate :Serious salinity problems Serious salinity problems Overuse of groundwaterOveruse of groundwater

Biodiversity lossBiodiversity loss

9

UrbanizationUrbanization••Urban encroachment and soil scarping. Urban encroachment and soil scarping. ••Losses was estimated by about 20,000 Losses was estimated by about 20,000 FeddanFeddan / year)./ year).Urbanization is expected to rise in a Urbanization is expected to rise in a ““businessbusiness--as as ––usual usual ““ scenarioscenario

Loss OfLoss Of ProductiveProductive landland

10

SeawaterSeawater IntrusionIntrusion

Efforts to prevent Efforts to prevent SalinizationSalinization of the productive agricultural soils and of the productive agricultural soils and to conserve the sea shoreto conserve the sea shore--line from sea water intrusion,line from sea water intrusion,

مرسى مطروح

Med. SeaWater loggingWater logging

11

PollutionPollution

Cause :Cause :The extensive use of chemical fertilizers, The extensive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and agrochemicals amendments . pesticides and agrochemicals amendments . led to :led to :Excessive leaching of nitrates to the water Excessive leaching of nitrates to the water table and further to the groundwater table and further to the groundwater resources causing health and environmental resources causing health and environmental hazardshazards ..

Water ErosionWater Erosion

12

Soil ErosionSoil Erosion

Sand Dune encroachmentSand Dune encroachmentExperiences in fixation of sand dunes Experiences in fixation of sand dunes

using varied technologies of using varied technologies of mechanical, chemical and mechanical, chemical and biological fixation of mobile dunes biological fixation of mobile dunes were tested and applied in several were tested and applied in several activities in the North Coastal areasactivities in the North Coastal areas

In general despite the implementation of In general despite the implementation of several projects for sand dunes fixation several projects for sand dunes fixation especially in North Sinai, the treated especially in North Sinai, the treated areas are far from adequate due to :areas are far from adequate due to :Lack of adequate numbers of Lack of adequate numbers of transplants and materials used.transplants and materials used.Lack of personal and appropriate Lack of personal and appropriate experiences.experiences.Lack of participation of local Lack of participation of local stakeholders and their conviction and stakeholders and their conviction and awareness of the significance of the awareness of the significance of the problem.problem.Lack of adequate financial resources.Lack of adequate financial resources.

13

The ChallengeThe Challenge

Food SecurityFood Security

Is threatened by Is threatened by

DesertificationDesertificationThe National strategy up to 2017:The National strategy up to 2017:

Horizontal expansion Horizontal expansion (3.4 million Fed.)(3.4 million Fed.)

Vertical expansion Vertical expansion ( increase productivity)( increase productivity)

Policy reformPolicy reform

PopulationPopulationResourcesResources

Way Way --outout

?

14

Reclaimed landFuture plan up to 2017 Under reclamation

Land Reclamation PlanLand Reclamation Plan

land reclamation strategy of Egypt land reclamation strategy of Egypt

Targets:Targets:•• Food security Food security * * Demographic distribution balance Demographic distribution balance * * Private sector role Private sector role * * CostCost--benefit efficiency benefit efficiency * * SocioSocio--economic considerations in Land tenure :economic considerations in Land tenure :

Three different types have been approached:Three different types have been approached:1.Traditional:1.Traditional: small acreages small acreages (5(5--10 10 feddanfeddan) for the graduates, ) for the graduates,

beneficiaries and beneficiaries and retired individuals.retired individuals.2. Non2. Non--Traditional:Traditional: Large Large acreages acreages 100,000 100,000 feddanfeddan for the for the

private sector companies.private sector companies.3. Mega projects:3. Mega projects: 300,000 300,000 feddanfeddan to be sold in 100,000 to be sold in 100,000 feddanfeddan to to

big investors big investors

15

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1982-1987 1987-1992 1992-1997 1997-2017

Public sector (feddan) Private sector (feddan)

Public and private sector share in the land reclamation plan durPublic and private sector share in the land reclamation plan during 1987ing 1987--2002 2002

Land reclamation policy reformLand reclamation policy reform

Conservation of land Resources from Conservation of land Resources from pollutionpollution

Cause :Cause :The extensive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides The extensive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides

and agrochemicals amendments .and agrochemicals amendments .led to :led to :Excessive leaching of nitrates to the water table and further toExcessive leaching of nitrates to the water table and further to the the

groundwater resources causing health and environmental hazardsgroundwater resources causing health and environmental hazards ..Approached by :Approached by :

Research and extension activities.Research and extension activities.Public awareness efforts.Public awareness efforts.Introduction of Integrated Pest Management practices.Introduction of Integrated Pest Management practices.Restrictive rules for importing and using pesticides.Restrictive rules for importing and using pesticides.Rational use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.Rational use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

16

Groundwater Irrigated landsGroundwater Irrigated lands

The use of water skimming The use of water skimming wells,wherewells,where lenses of thin fresh water exist lenses of thin fresh water exist .These kinds of wells require high degree of precision in operat.These kinds of wells require high degree of precision in operation and ion and management of the systemmanagement of the system

Assessment of the ground water resources in Assessment of the ground water resources in quantity and quality is a must to mitigate :quantity and quality is a must to mitigate :•• Serious salinity problems Serious salinity problems •• Overuse of groundwaterOveruse of groundwater

Water HarvestingWater Harvesting

17

Salinity and Water loggingSalinity and Water loggingDue to:Due to:• The misuse of irrigation water .The misuse of irrigation water .•• Improper field drainage systems .Improper field drainage systems .Resulted in :Resulted in :•• Degradation of the productive soilsDegradation of the productive soilsImprovement :Improvement :•• Open and tile drainageOpen and tile drainage•• Biological drainageBiological drainageIn order to :In order to :

••Combating soil Combating soil salinizationsalinization and soil alkalinity.and soil alkalinity.•• Minimize soil logging and improve aeration Minimize soil logging and improve aeration •• Enhance soil productivity by 17Enhance soil productivity by 17--25%.25%.••Lowering of water table.Lowering of water table.••Improving physical and chemical soil properties.Improving physical and chemical soil properties.••Adding, additional areas to be cultivated upon Adding, additional areas to be cultivated upon conversion from open drainage to tile drainage.conversion from open drainage to tile drainage.

The National Programmer for The National Programmer for Safe Use of Treated Sewage Safe Use of Treated Sewage

Water for Water for AfforestationAfforestation

Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency

Ministry of State for Environmental AffairsMinistry of State for Environmental Affairs

2.4 milliard cubic meter secondary treated waste water are available to establish 400,000 FeddanAgroforests.

The geographic distribution of the forestsThe geographic distribution of the forests

18

Desertification ProcessDesertification ProcessIncreasedIncreased Carbon emissionCarbon emission ++ DecreasedDecreased Carbon sequestrationCarbon sequestration

Rustled inRustled in ::= Global warming= Global warming= Increasing = Increasing ETpETp= Vegetation loss= Vegetation loss= Soil erosion= Soil erosion

= Reduced biological productivity= Reduced biological productivity

== DesertificationDesertificationThe challenge can be met through a strategy of a better The challenge can be met through a strategy of a better

use of agricultural biodiversity to fight desertification .use of agricultural biodiversity to fight desertification .

WayWay--OutOutWE MUST RELAY ON OUR OWN WEALTH OF NATURAL WE MUST RELAY ON OUR OWN WEALTH OF NATURAL

RESOURCES TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATIONRESOURCES TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION

Plant biodiversity Plant biodiversity (genetic potential)(genetic potential)can help rehabilitate degraded can help rehabilitate degraded ecosystems in order to challenge ecosystems in order to challenge problems such as :problems such as :•• Heat stressHeat stress (Global warming)(Global warming)•• Drought tolerantDrought tolerant (Water scarcity)(Water scarcity)•• HalophytesHalophytes (Water quality degradation)(Water quality degradation)••Nutrition valueNutrition value ( Food security)( Food security)••Economic valueEconomic value increase farmers incomes increase farmers incomes ((Poverty reduction)Poverty reduction)

19

Plant Genetic ResourcesPlant Genetic Resources

ConservationConservationUtilizationUtilization

The Egyptian Desert Gene Banks primary objective isThe Egyptian Desert Gene Banks primary objective is to to minimize the gapminimize the gap

between between conservationconservation and and utilizationutilization..

Poverty and Biodiversity in AfricaPoverty and Biodiversity in Africa

Areas where used as a proxy for Areas where used as a proxy for PovertyPoverty

are coincided with a high occurrenceare coincided with a high occurrenceof invaluable wealthof invaluable wealth

ofofPlant Genetic Resources

20

cennia marina

Salt exclusion

How are You, mum?

I am enjoying saline water !

Halophytes are plant species that grow naturally in saline Environments.

They occupy a wide range of habitats – from wet , seacoast marches to dry, inland salinedeserts.

HalophytesHalophytes

BiosalineBiosaline AgricultureAgriculture

21

Medicinal plantsMedicinal plants

Mentha spicata( Mint)Traditional Uses: For cough, and coldFor cough, and cold

CapparisCapparis spinosaspinosa (( Caper)Caper)Traditional Uses:seeds for treatment of seeds for treatment of feminine sterility and feminine sterility and dysmenorrheal, they are dysmenorrheal, they are crushed and applied crushed and applied externally on ulcers, externally on ulcers, ganglions and scrofula. theganglions and scrofula. the

Solenostemma arghel (Argel)PregnanePregnane glycosides closely resemble glycosides closely resemble cardiac glycosides, which are important in cardiac glycosides, which are important in medicinal chemistry because of their effect medicinal chemistry because of their effect on on the cardiac musclethe cardiac muscle

Origanum syriacum(Syrian Origano)Volatile oil consisting of Volatile oil consisting of more than 80% more than 80% carvacrolcarvacrol, , resin and resin and flavonoidsflavonoids

Dual purpose plantsDual purpose plantsSisal is one of the fast growing Sisal is one of the fast growing

and economic revenueand economic revenue

Biological Fixation of Biological Fixation of Sand Dune encroachmentSand Dune encroachment

22

Dual purpose plantsDual purpose plantsSisal is one of the fast growing Sisal is one of the fast growing

and economic revenueand economic revenue

Biological Fixation of Biological Fixation of Sand Dune encroachmentSand Dune encroachment

Experiences in fixation of sand dunes using biological fixationExperiences in fixation of sand dunes using biological fixation of mobile dunes were tested of mobile dunes were tested and applied in several activities in the North Coastal areasand applied in several activities in the North Coastal areasIn general despite the implementation of several projects for saIn general despite the implementation of several projects for sand dunes fixation especially nd dunes fixation especially in North Sinai, the treated areas are far from adequate due to in North Sinai, the treated areas are far from adequate due to ::-- Lack of adequate numbers of transplants and materials used.Lack of adequate numbers of transplants and materials used.-- Lack of personal and appropriate experiences.Lack of personal and appropriate experiences.-- Lack of participation of local stakeholders and their convictioLack of participation of local stakeholders and their conviction and awareness of the n and awareness of the significance of the problem.significance of the problem.--Lack of adequate financial resources.Lack of adequate financial resources.

This facility has been conceived to address This facility has been conceived to address specifically the optimum utilization of plant specifically the optimum utilization of plant genetic resources from dry and desert areas.genetic resources from dry and desert areas.Conservation:Conservation:Short & medium term : ( +4C & 40% RH).Short & medium term : ( +4C & 40% RH).Long term storage : ( Long term storage : ( --20 C) 20 C) A seed drying unit operating at +22C & 10% RH and a A seed drying unit operating at +22C & 10% RH and a laboratory for seed processing and packing are includedlaboratory for seed processing and packing are included

23

VulnerabilityVulnerability

VulnerabilityVulnerability = = RisksRisks / / CapabilitiesCapabilitiesTo minimize vulnerability we have to introduce To minimize vulnerability we have to introduce

measures to increase capabilitiesmeasures to increase capabilities OrOr

To minimize risksTo minimize risks

SouthSouth--South CoSouth Co--operationoperationBioversity International/DRC has Bioversity International/DRC has

established the Center of Excellence for established the Center of Excellence for Training in Seed Conservation and Use at Training in Seed Conservation and Use at the Desert Gene Bank in 2005. the Desert Gene Bank in 2005.

The Centre of Excellence aims to provide The Centre of Excellence aims to provide training opportunities to enhance the training opportunities to enhance the capacity of national programs in the region capacity of national programs in the region to sustainable manage and use their plant to sustainable manage and use their plant genetic diversity ex situ, in situ and ongenetic diversity ex situ, in situ and on--farm. farm.

The Center of Excellence is wellThe Center of Excellence is well--equipped with advanced facilities, equipped with advanced facilities, specialized laboratories and experimental specialized laboratories and experimental fields. fields.

24

ExtensionExtension ServiceService

• Training• Awareness

Traditional KnowledgeTraditional Knowledge

25

MawasiMawasi

Depression about 3 m Depression about 3 m below the sea levelbelow the sea level200 m far from the sea 200 m far from the sea shoreshoreVery tied to rainfallVery tied to rainfall

ThamilaThamilaWidth 4mWidth 4m--depth 3mdepth 3mWater quality is 300Water quality is 300--400 400 ppmppm400 m far from the sea shore400 m far from the sea shoreSmall pump to irrigate 3Small pump to irrigate 3--4 4 feddanfeddan

26

El El KhandekKhandek

Depth is about 2 meterDepth is about 2 meterWidth is 3 meterWidth is 3 meterWater quality is 300Water quality is 300--400 400 ppmppm400 meter from the sea shore400 meter from the sea shorePumping water by machine Pumping water by machine to irrigate about 5to irrigate about 5--8 8 feddanfeddan

Water harvestingWater harvesting water harvesting projects increased water water harvesting projects increased water supply by more than 45% of the supply supply by more than 45% of the supply that was available before project that was available before project initiation in 1994 by the excavation of initiation in 1994 by the excavation of 8000 cisterns and reservoirs with a total 8000 cisterns and reservoirs with a total physical capacity of 1.25 million m3 and physical capacity of 1.25 million m3 and a potential capacity of 2.5 million m3. a potential capacity of 2.5 million m3.

A total ofA total of 435000435000 m3 of dykes were m3 of dykes were constructed to conserve water and soils constructed to conserve water and soils and supported the planting of fruit trees and supported the planting of fruit trees on 5620 on 5620 feddansfeddans. In addition to. In addition to 177455177455 m3 of structural works were constructed m3 of structural works were constructed andand 100100 km of windbreaks were planted km of windbreaks were planted to conserve soil, water and vegetation to conserve soil, water and vegetation and for environmental and biodiversity and for environmental and biodiversity enhancement. Fodder shrubs were enhancement. Fodder shrubs were planted on more than 21000 planted on more than 21000 feddansfeddans. . 35% of farmers increased their orchard 35% of farmers increased their orchard areas, 20% adopted crop rotation and areas, 20% adopted crop rotation and 16% 16% interplantedinterplanted legume fodder shrubs legume fodder shrubs with barley for improving soil fertility with barley for improving soil fertility and contributing to soil conservation. and contributing to soil conservation.

27

Water HarvestingWater Harvesting

28

Water Conservation with HydroponicsWater Conservation with HydroponicsDrastic reduction of the water consumptionDrastic reduction of the water consumption..

Seeds germinate more quickly inSeeds germinate more quickly inHydroponics systemHydroponics system

Forage ready to feed in 7Forage ready to feed in 7--10 days10 days

Access to InformationAccess to InformationGenebanksGenebanks conserve genetic conserve genetic stocks of plant materials and stocks of plant materials and information about their information about their behavior, traits, management behavior, traits, management and uses. Information is and uses. Information is derived both from study of derived both from study of the genetic resources and the genetic resources and from the traditional from the traditional knowledge of farmers. The knowledge of farmers. The information contributes to information contributes to early warning and monitoring early warning and monitoring systems for drought and systems for drought and desertification desertification Access to the plant genetic Access to the plant genetic resources and associated resources and associated information in Gene Banks is information in Gene Banks is vital for plant breeders, vital for plant breeders, farmers, researchers and local farmers, researchers and local populations who depend on populations who depend on them for their livelihoodsthem for their livelihoods

29

Ecosystem restorationEcosystem restorationGermplasmGermplasm distribution to all users considering the enrichment and distribution to all users considering the enrichment and saving of plant biodiversity and restoration of ecosystems in thsaving of plant biodiversity and restoration of ecosystems in the area.e area.

30

Country ProfileCountry ProfileGeographic coordinates :Geographic coordinates : 27 00 N, 30 00 E 27 00 N, 30 00 E Area: Area: total: 1,001,450 sq km total: 1,001,450 sq km

land: 995,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq kmwater: 6,000 sq kmLandLand boundariesboundaries: Total: 2,689 km : Total: 2,689 km CoastlineCoastline: 2,450 km : 2,450 km

PopulationPopulation:: 80,335,03680,335,036 (July 2007 est.) (July 2007 est.) PopulationPopulation growthgrowth raterate: : 1.721%1.721% (2007 est.) (2007 est.) NetNet migrationmigration raterate: : --0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 0.21 migrant(s)/1,000

population (2007 est.) population (2007 est.) LandLand useuse: : arable land:arable land: 2.92% 2.92%

permanent crops:permanent crops: 0.5% 0.5% other:other: 96.58% (2005) 96.58% (2005)

IrrigatedIrrigated landland: 34,220 sq km (2003): 34,220 sq km (2003)AdministrativeAdministrative divisionsdivisions: 26 governorates : 26 governorates At the turn of this decade, Egypt chose to At the turn of this decade, Egypt chose to

liberalize its economy and enable its private liberalize its economy and enable its private sector to take the lead in generating growth sector to take the lead in generating growth and employment. and employment.