Egypt expands irrigation education and hyacinth recycling to boost green economy

Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has launched a dual-track strategy to modernise water management and advance the green economy through the creation of vocational irrigation schools and the expansion of a pioneering Nile hyacinth recycling initiative. This is reported by Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS.

Chaired by the Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam, a high-level meeting this outlined the roadmap for establishing a new generation of technical schools focused on irrigation and water resource management. The proposed institutions will offer integrated training in modern irrigation technologies, drainage systems, artificial intelligence applications, land surveying, and pump maintenance.

Looking forward, the ministry is assessing the commercial viability of transforming dried hyacinth into biofuel, charcoal, and particleboard. This move could open new avenues for green employment, attract investment, and reduce the environmental burden posed by the invasive species.

Minister Sewilam underscored the need for strategic collaboration with international development partners and national agencies, particularly the Ministry of Manpower, to facilitate job placement for programme graduates and develop domestic and export markets for hyacinth-based products.

These efforts, he noted, not only support Egypt’s transition to a sustainable economy but also enhance climate resilience, promote social inclusion, and transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities.