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The impossible has become reality. Thanks to a multi-billion dollar partnership, 50 hectares of desert have been converted into farmland, boosting the economy and food security.
In the heart of the Egyptian desert, where the arid soil and high temperatures seemed to limit any possibility of life, a grand project is challenging the limits of technology and international cooperation.
Without sparing efforts or resources, the transformation of 50 thousand hectares of barren land into productive agricultural fields not only shocked the world, but also set a precedent for the future of agriculture in inhospitable regions. What once seemed impossible is now reality.
The initiative, led by a partnership between Chinese, Egyptian and United Arab Emirates (UAE) companies, represents a milestone in the fight against global food insecurity and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources.
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The project that defies the desert
With an investment of 1 billion dollars, the Sugar Canal project was born in 2018 as a joint initiative between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, counting on the expertise of the Chinese company Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Group Corp. Ltd. (ZPEC).
The mission was bold: to transform the arid lands of the Minya province, in southern Egypt, into a sustainable agricultural oasis.
More than 150 groundwater wells have been drilled to date, enabling the irrigation of crops such as sugar beets, alfalfa and barley.
Canal Sugar’s general manager of agriculture, Aaron Baldwin, revealed that the project has already delivered a 50% increase in beet productivity in the last year alone.
According to Baldwin, the goal is to reach between 330 and 350 active wells soon, consolidating the sustainable agricultural model that is being implemented.
Cutting-edge technology in the heart of the desert
The geological complexity of the site was no barrier for ZPEC, which used advanced technological methods to accelerate the pace of drilling.
In the beginning, each well took about a month to complete. Today, the same work is completed in just 14 days.
According to Zhou Guiqiang, technical manager of the project, the efficiency achieved reflects not only technological mastery, but also the positive impact of the Belt and Road Initiative, promoted by China.
This initiative has strengthened China's position as a leader in sustainable development in arid regions, aligning with Egypt's goals of converting inhospitable lands into productive areas.
In addition, the Canal Sugar sugar factory, also built by a Chinese company, has the capacity to produce 900 tons of white sugar per year, significantly increasing national production of 2,8 million tons.
Profound economic and social impacts
The project goes beyond agricultural production. Sugar, widely consumed by the Egyptian population, is an essential commodity in the country, with an annual demand of 3,3 million tons.
The initiative not only strengthens food security, but also creates thousands of jobs, revitalizes local communities and boosts the rural economy of Minya province.
Ahmed Soliman, ZPEC base manager, highlighted that the project is a game changer for desert regions.
“We are not only providing food, but also giving new life to communities that previously depended exclusively on subsistence,” Soliman said.
A global model of cooperation
The successful transformation of the Egyptian desert into productive agricultural land is an example of how international partnerships can overcome local challenges.
The relationship between Chinese companies and the Egyptian government has generated mutual benefits, creating a replicable model for other regions.
With an expected harvest of 2 million tons of sugar beet over the next three years, the Canal Sugar project promises to revolutionize the agricultural sector in Egypt and inspire other nations to adopt technological solutions to combat food insecurity.
Baldwin stressed that this achievement was only possible thanks to innovation and international collaboration, highlighting that the fruits of this partnership are already being reaped, literally.
The desert as a symbol of innovation
The transformation of lands previously considered infertile into areas of high agricultural productivity highlights the human potential to overcome natural adversities.
Projects like the Sugar Canal not only change the landscape of a desert, but also demonstrate the impact of technological innovation and global cooperation in addressing the challenges of the 21st century.
With so much progress, an inevitable question arises: Would it be possible to replicate this technology to transform other arid regions of the world into sustainable agricultural breadbaskets?
Great initiative to boost sustainable development. Turning deserts into arable land helps lower the Earth's temperature
If Brazil depends only on agricultural commodities to survive, thinking that China will always depend on Brazil to eat, get ready. In the world, whoever has the best technologies, that is, the best intelligence and puts into practice overcoming them, will dominate agriculture, industries, technologies, military, etc. The United States, Europe, Japan are falling behind and Brazil is governed by cowardly parasites who sacrifice and exploit their people.
Just one question ❓ Will these wells ever run out of water or is it an infinite reservoir?