Partnership in Development Research Research Briefs No. 34

Transcription

1 Partnership in Development Research Research Briefs No. 34 Settling Bedouins in Al Sharit Area, Sinai By: Dr. Mohamed Abdel Aziz El Naggar Introduction and Research problem: The project for settling Bedouins in the borderline of the central areas of Sinai is one of the projects that seek to develop the area by establishing agricultural housing units that will cultivate crops capable of growing and enduring long periods of drought in Sinai. Several crops were therefore cultivated in the central parts of Sinai that not only endured drought but also had high economic and nutritional value. Implementation: Due to the variations in climatic conditions and availability of water in Sinai, and in order to achieve realistic results for each region that can be replicated in other settings, the project founded two main centers. These are: 1-Al Hosna center at Ain Al Qodairat, Sad El Rawafa a and Sad el Koroum, in addition to the village of Om Shaihan where vegetables were cultivated given the presence of the National Center for Research s greenhouse in the area. 2-Nakhl Center at the areas of Sad Al Haitan, Contella, Al Tamad (Wadi Fotaim) The plan of the project was designed to be implemented over three stages as follows: Stage I: The focus in this stage is on cultivating the high yielding crops which endure salinity and drought and are rain fed. In addition, vegetables are cultivated in the National Center s greenhouse in Om Shihan village in order to introduce the new technologies i.e. plastic

2 greenhouses to farmers and Bedouins in the village and neighboring areas, and educate them about the resistance programs and other agricultural processes. Stage II: Evaluate the effectiveness of some agricultural transactions and the productivity of some field crops (wheat, barley, lentils and animal fodder), the crossbreeding of high yielding crops such as green pepper, tomatoes, and cucumbers and using the greenhouse as a site for the dissemination of knowledge and news about crops that have been cultivated under protected conditions. Stage III: Results are applied with the collaboration of executive bodies (governorates of North Sinai, the agricultural directorate and Sinai reconstruction body as well as the participation of farmers and Bedouins in Sinai. Modern technologies which proved their success in each center are generalized. Project achievements: First: Cultivation of field crops that are rain fed and those that are cultivated in torrent waterways at the centers of Al Hosna and Nakhl in the central parts of Sinai. Wheat crop: Wheat was cultivated under rain-fed conditions along the borderline of the central areas of Sinai, but a successful crop depends on the quantity and regularity of rain and the quality of the soil. -It was found out that the best sites to cultivate wheat are the torrents pathways where the soil is characterized by the high levels of mud ranging between 10-25% which allows the soil to preserve water and provide the plants with water for a relatively long period of time. -The seasonal conditions in this site do not allow the cultivation of durable crops such as peach or almond as those could be damaged by the torrents. Thus, seasonal crops are preferred. -Sakha wheat 69 is the best and highest yielding crop of cereals and hay for cultivation under rain-fed conditions and in torrents pathways. -To evaluate the crop, it is preferred to calculate the yield of wheat relative to the quantity of seeds used in agriculture.

3 Barley: -Barley endures drought more than wheat and the highest yielding and most productive kind of barley in North Sinai is Giza 123 cultivated in rain-fed conditions, and the best quantity of seeds per feddan is 40 kgs. The ratio of seeds to cereals is 1k.g.:208 k.g. of seeds. -The yield of barley ranges between 4.28 and 6.94 (ardeb/feddan) for Giza 123 which reflects the desire of Bedouin farmers to participate in the project as they were convinced of the high productivity of this kind of barley.. Lentil: -Giza 370 is the best kind of lentil to be cultivated in rain-fed conditions and the best amount of seeds to one feddan is 40 k.g.. The ratio of seeds used in cultivation relative to the product reached 1:6.5 and 1:7.3 k.gs. to one k.g. of seeds. -The project recommended adding 200 k.g. super phosphate fertilizers to each feddan at the time of preparing the land for cultivation. Cultivation of fodder beet using drip irrigation to develop animal wealth -The lack of fodder crops in Al Hosna and Nakhl centers triggered the interest of farmers and governorate officials in fodder beet and their keenness to include it in the agricultural plan of the governorate to enhance animal wealth. -The best type of fodder beet is the Monofigur. -Productivity depends on the cultivated crop, method of cultivation, level of fertilization and type of soil. Fodder beet productivity reached more than 150 tons, thus providing a permanent source for feeding animals all year round. Second: Irrigated and protected crops in Om Shihan village (Markaz Al Hosna) 1.Quality of water in Beer Youssef: This well is considered the sole source for irrigation used by farmers in the village. It was found out that the characteristics of water were relatively acceptable because the excessive salinity allows the cultivation of specific kinds of vegetables. The concentration of salts declines during the stages of continuous consumption because of low temperature, low evaporation and rainfall.

4 2.Characteristics of the soil in the project site: The results of the analyses indicated that most of the project sites had sandy soil with the exception of the torrent waterways which were sandy and alluvial. This texture allowed the soil to get rid of the salts under the effect of the winter rain. The sandy soil is not capable of keeping water, which means that it has to be irrigated frequently with little quantities of water. Cultivation of cucumber in plastic greenhouses -The best kind of cucumber in protected conditions (greenhouses) using drip irrigation is the Delilah cucumbers, which has the highest yield of 2910 k.g. per greenhouse. -Shortening the period of drip irrigation to one hour daily per greenhouse in sandy land yield higher productivity and increases the average weight of the fruit. Cultivation in plastic tunnels (vaults): -Viona tomatoes demonstrated the highest productivity yielding tons i.e. more than all the other types. Drip irrigation for one hour and 30 minutes every day gives a high yielding tomato crop. -Five hundred types of eggplant and green pepper were cultivated. The Gadioun hybrid of green pepper was clearly distinct in its productivity, yielding tons per 500 hybrid. The black beauty eggplant had high productivity yielding tons /per 500 hybrid. -With regard to the Cantaloup, each feddan yielded 12 tons at EP each with around EP 5500 profits per farmer. -With regard to potatoes (open agriculture), cultivation took place in December 2003, the crop was harvested mid April 2004 and irrigation took place using the water from the village well. Five types of crops were evaluated. The highest productivity crop was the Cara type which reached tons per feddan and the quantity of seeds used relative to the quantity of the resulting crops reached 1:11 and 1:24.

5 Third: Means of combating pesticides in field crops and vegetables Sticky yellow traps and spraying plant pesticides (derived from camphor trees) have effectively reduced the damage to green plants compared to the control treatment in which the damage reached 79% to 92.5%. -Results indicated that yellow sticky traps have reduced pests in the field by 50% and more. If this method is jointly used with light traps and plants pesticides, then the biological method is highly effective in limiting the damage. Fourth: Results of economic study on marketing problems of some important crops The study seeks to find appropriate solutions for marketing problems, improve marketing services and reduce losses. The following results have been reached: -Twenty five farmers cultivate wheat in Om Shihan village, Markaz Al Hosna. The product is consumed by the following categories: family, retailers and wholesalers at 66%, 12% and 22% respectively. Marketing loss amounts to 19% of the total production. 47% of the landholder who produce wheat indicated the absence of markets. They also mentioned the problem of prices and the costs of marketing. This was asserted by 35% of the landholders. -Sixty five farmers cultivate peach in Al Kharouba village, Markaz Sheikh Zuwait and Al Berth village, Markaz Rafah. The marketing channels were: family consumption, the market of the markaz, the wholesale market and finally exporting represented by 35%, 25%, 32% and 9% of the landholders respectively. Around 30% of the farmers are engaged in marketing processes such as sorting out and 31% are involved in packing. The average loss amounts to 20% of the total production. The best marketing for the peach crop is selling it directly to retailers, followed by sale to wholesale traders, exporting, then sale to the wholesale market at the percentages of 30%, 27%, 14% and 14% respectively. 19% and 17% of the landholders suggested to fix the prices through a pricing agency and provide the appropriate means of transportation.

6 -44% of the farmers said the tomato product is consumed by the family, 30% by the market of the markaz, and 25% the wholesalers. Of the total number of farmers, 31% undertake sorting out and the average marketing loss of the tomato product reaches 19.7% of total production. Among the main problems facing farmers are the inappropriate prices, the absence of sufficient markets, the lack of data and marketing information and insufficient means of transportation at the following percentages: 31%, 27%, 17% and 16% of the total number of landholders. Recommendations: -Government must intensify its efforts and design appropriate policies to improve the performance of the market. It should focus in particular on the institutional aspects which were not originally designed for a free and large market. In this respect it is important to have vertical and horizontal expansion given the presence of a vertical link between all activities, and producing an effective institutional structure to include small producers within the framework of companies or cooperative and not governmental agencies. -Establish markets in deprived villages, and develop existing ones by providing an conducive marketing climate within the market economy and demand and supply mechanisms. -Reduce the lost and damaged crops which ultimately mean a loss to the national income. This can be accomplished through marketing operations and services and enhancing marketing awareness. -Provide marketing data bases and eliminate obstacles in obtaining the necessary marketing data. -Establish appropriate storing and preservation mechanisms as well as appropriate refrigeration for some crops.

7 -Provide appropriate packages for export to suit the taste of foreign consumers. -Establish appropriate agencies to announce prices during the different marketing stages in order to protect producers and consumers. -Establish stations to collate, sort out and pack agricultural crops using high technological methods, particularly with export crops.

8 About the Author Dr.Mohamed Abdel Aziz El Naggar, Researcher, the National Research Center About the Program The Egyptian Partnership in Development Research Program aims to inform development policies and strategies by linking those who conduct research with those who can utilize its findings to promote development in local communities. It promotes a research agenda which is responsive to the needs and priorities of local communities. The program is characterized by a multidisciplinary, demand-driven, and participatory approach. The program began in Egypt in The program is directed by an Advisory Board of prominent members who are concerned with development issues. About the Series The PDR Policy Brief Series disseminates the results of research conducted under the auspices of the Partnership in Development Research Program funded by the Netherland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Development Cooperation. It is currently operative in nine countries, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Egypt, Kerala-India, Mali, Nicaragwa, Tanzania, Uganda and Vietnam. The authors are solely responsible for the content of the Policy Briefs. Copies of the Briefs can be ordered from the Secretariat of the Program or through the Program's web site. Partnership in Development Research American University in Cairo Social Research Center 11th Floor,Cairo Center 106Kasr Al-Aini Street Cairo-Egypt Tel: Fax: pdr@aucegypt.edu Website: