RISE and Supporting Regional Dryland Irrigated Agriculture Andrew Petrovich Research Associate WLI 6 th Annual Regional Coordination Meeting 12 November, 2014 Amman

Research Institute for a Sustainable Environment (RISE) Established in 1979 by the American University in Cairo as the Desert Development Center (DDC) Became the Research Institute for a Sustainable Environment (RISE) in November, 2013.

Sustainable Water Management in the Oases of Egypt’s Western Desert Partner: HSBC Bank Project Duration: September, 2013 – August, 2014 Sites: Abu Minqar El Heiz Relevant Components: Canal Lining Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Aquaponic systems Drainage Water Tree Farm Training on all components

Canal Lining 3 major canals were lined Total of 3 km

Sprinkler Irrigation 30 feddan of flood irrigated fields were converted to sprinkler irrigation in Abu Minqar

Drip Irrigation and Aquaponics Aquaponics shade house utilizing drip irrigation was installed in El Heiz. Aquaponics system utilizing drip irrigation was installed in Abu Minqar.

Drainage Lake Tree Farm 5 feddan were planted with high value trees utilizing drip irrigation in Abu Minqar Trees faring particularly well are olive and date palm.

Ramsis Project Aim: Utilize SMS technology to disseminate knowledge on wheat cultivation best practices Partners: Mobinil, FAO and FAODA (Fayoum Agro Organic Development Association Project Duration: July, 2014 – April, 2015 Locations: Shubra Qubala, Monufeya, Delta El Heiz, Bahareya, Western Desert Abu Minqar, Farafra, Western Desert Participants: 100 farmers in each location Activities: 20 messages sent to a maximum of 300 farmers from Nov – Mar by a call center operated by FAODA Focus group workshops to be carried out at the beginning and end – 4 workshops/location Assessment questionnaire of wheat cultivation practices at beginning and end of growing season

Living Learning Laboratory, “LLL” In our case at AUC, a Living Learning Lab is “a concept that encompasses a range of practical on-campus applications of research and experiments that provide students hands-on experience, benefit operations or facilities and enhance sustainability”.

Current LLL Projects Comparing the effects of reduction in amounts of irrigation water on zucchini in our greenhouses on campus Comparing the effects of domestic fresh water vs. water in an aquaponics system on crops on our rooftop garden

On to discussion, Thank You