16 February 2010: The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) has signed an agreement with the Egyptian Government that will focus on maximizing the efficiency of water use by Egyptian farmers to adapt to the challenges of climate change.
IFAD will provide a grant of US$1 million and a soft loan of US$47 million to finance the project, which will establish new associations and reinvigorate existing institutions. It will improve irrigation networks, as well as fund research and extension services to boost agricultural productivity. In particular, it will address the challenges posed by low-efficiency surface irrigation systems, which cause high water loss, declines in productivity and salinization of land. [IFAD Press Release]