Presentation by Dionysia Angeliki Lyra, Halophyte Agronomist, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Dubai United Arab Emirates

1. “Project: Food for the Future: Building
Sustainable Networks and Unleashing the
Entrepreneurial Potential in Farming
Communities living in marginal areas in Egypt”
Dionysia Angeliki Lyra, Halophyte Agronomist,
International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Dubai United Arab Emirates
www.biosaline.org

2. Context

3. Challenges for Agriculture in Egypt
A. Poverty: 20% is below the national poverty line & another 20% of are near poor. This affects
mainly those people working in the agricultural sector that represents around 40% of the
Egyptian workforce.
B. Water Scarcity: Egypt will reach the threshold of absolute scarcity 500 m3/capita/year soon,
considering the population projections by 2030 (137 million).
D. Soil degradation / erosion: wind erosion; fragile ecosystem; scarcity of vegetation cover;
severe droughts; not proper water and soil management
Source: https://www.sekem.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/the-future-of-agriculture-in-egypt.pdf
C. Limited productive lands: Egypt has a total land area of approximately 1 million km2 or the
equivalent of 238 million feddans. Most of it is desert and only 5.5% is inhabited.

4. Strategic goals of the project
1) To promote the concept of Green Entrepreneurship, addressing
environmental and social challenges through the realization of agri-business
ideas that have a positive impact on the natural environment and are
financially and socially sustainable for the farming communities.
2) To support the targeted farming communities in establishing their own
agri-businesses, which will provide them with stable source of income,
employment opportunities, contributing in their economic growth (rural
MSMEs)
3) To promote sustainable management of natural resources by bringing back
into production degraded lands and utilizing alternative sources of water in
order to conserve the limited freshwater resources.

5. Climate - Smart
Agriculture
Entrepreneurship
• Developing quinoa value
chain in Egypt
• Sustainable Networks
• Food Security
• Helping the economy
• Saving fresh water
• Beneficiaries: 5250
Integrated agri-
aquaculture
(Transforming waste
to profit)
• Capacity Building
• Low Carbon Economy
• Entrepreneurship
• Sustainable Networks
• Beneficiaries: 272
• A much higher number
of people is expected to
use the smart
application technology
Unconventional
farming approaches
in salt-affected
regions
• Food Security
• Saving fresh water
• Sustainable Networks
• Employability and
Financial capability
• Making profit in
degraded areas
• Beneficiaries: 1,000
The project’s Program

6. Project linked to HSBC sustainability pillars (1)
Sustainable Networks Low carbon economy Sustainable supply chains
To create a well-informed
and skilled workforce that
can properly implement
agricultural activities in
desert environments to
enhance the sustainability
of the farms pursuing: a
healthy environment,
economic prosperity,
vibrant value chains, and
social wellbeing in
marginal environments
To promote low-carbon
practices in agriculture in
desert areas, including the
recovery of degraded (salt-
affected) areas; utilization
of desert lands for
agriculture; principles of
integrated crop
management, organic
agriculture; integrated
systems that combine agri-
aquaculture; crop
diversification for better
agro-ecosystem balance.
Developing the entire value chain of
quinoa locally – from production and
post-harvest processing to
transformation and marketing – will
reduce both supply chain costs and
environmental implications. Linking
farmers and women’s cooperatives
directly with the markets will make it
possible to increase the incomes of
the latter by avoiding unnecessary
intermediaries and catalyze
sustainable economic growth of the
rural communities targeted by the
project.

7. Entrepreneurship
Project linked to HSBC sustainability pillars (2)
Employability and financial capability
This project will enable smallholder farmers to
generate substantial income by cultivating a high-value
crop.
It will also create employment and income-generating
opportunities for women, young people and other
stakeholders in related value chain activities, including
seed production, quinoa transformation,
manufacturing of quinoa processing machines, etc.
The training that will be provided as part of this project
will help people to develop the entrepreneurial skills
they need to thrive in the modern economy and
manage their financial resources effectively.
The marketing specialists / business
developers involved in the project will
train farmers in market strategies and
business tools that can increase their
farms’ profitability. Learning tools for
farmers to raise and expand market
access.

8. Three project components
Development of quinoa value chain in Egypt
• Development & implementation of business model
• Development of a seed production unit for quinoa
• Capacity building
Salicornia production trials in Egypt
• Establishment of Salicornia
• Assessment of demand
• Farmers’ training
Training on integrated farming in UAE
• Training videos translated in Urdu, Arabic for farm
workers
• Smart applications

9. Shalateen
Quseer
New Valley
QUINOA
Salicornia
Locations in Egypt
where the Quinoa and
Salicornia
components will be
implemented

10. 1. Development of Quinoa value chain in Egypt

11. 16
11
13
11
7
3
7
10
7
PROTEIN CONTENT (%)
Why Quinoa?

12. International Quinoa market

13. Task 1.1: Conduct stakeholder’s workshop to design the quinoa value chain
-Explore the current state of quinoa value chain in New Valley
-Discuss the needs and requirements to upgrade the existing quinoa value chain
-Identify gaps and weaknesses of the existing quinoa value chain and develop a plan to address
them
-Discuss the project workplan and implementation
-Identify project beneficiaries willing to participate including farmers and women
cooperatives…etc.
Task 1.2: Elaborate economic analysis of quinoa cultivation in Egypt
- Meeting with key farmers to evaluate the following:
-Production cost including: soil preparation, labor, weeding, irrigation, harvest and seed
processing
- Farmgate and market price
- Conduct economic analysis of different scenarios (business as usual, mechanized,
optimized…etc) using Monte Carlo and sensitivity analysis
Activity 1: Development and design of a comprehensive business model for
establishing a quinoa value chain

14. Activity 1: Development and design of a comprehensive business model for
establishing a quinoa value chain
Task 1.3: Conduct marketing study to assess demand on quinoa products
Assessment of quinoa availability and price in the Egyptian market:
Surveys, interviews
Demand analysis of quinoa-based product in Egypt: Questionnaires,
online, social networks…etc.
Development of quinoa pricing, distribution and communication
strategy
Develop a new quinoa brand for new valley
Task 1.4: Development of practical guide for quinoa farming

15. Task 2.1: Upgrade of the existing seed production unit
Purchase and install new quinoa machine for seed cleaning and processing
Task 2.2: Introduction of high yielding quinoa varieties
Conduct on-farm trials to evaluate their performance and productivity
Test different sowing dates, densities and cropping practices
Task 2.3: Introduce quinoa field production and seed processing equipment
Introduce quinoa seeder, harvesting machine
Activity 2: Development of a seed production system for most performing quinoa
varieties

16. Task 2.4: Assist farmers to develop the organic quinoa production system
Elaborate required procedures and documents for organic certification
according to EU and Egyptian laws.
Introduce farmers to organic farming practices and principles
Task 2.5: Conduct training sessions about quinoa production best practices
Develop training packages about quinoa production and processing
Deliver training about best practices for quinoa production and valorization
Conduct hand-on training about quinoa-based food preparation
Activity 2: Development of a seed production system for most performing quinoa
varieties

17. Task 3.1: Develop with women cooperatives and association quinoa-based
products that fit to the local context
Develop quinoa recipes adapted to local context
Develop standardized method for quinoa-based food preparation
Task 3.2: Support women cooperative and start-ups to develop income
generating activities
Support women cooperatives and start-ups with quinoa processing tools
(shelling machine, washing machine…etc)
Support women cooperatives and start-ups with quinoa transformation
material and equipment needed to prepare quinoa-based foods
Task 3.3: Assisting women cooperatives and start-ups to implement HACCP
and quality control system
Prepare guidelines and requirements for HACCP and quality control system
Deliver training to beneficiaries about food quality and safety control system
Activity 3: Implementation of the quinoa value chain business model

18. Task 3.4: Organization of quinoa promotion activities such as fairs to showcase
quinoa based-products
Organization of fairs to showcase quinoa food products
Organization of cuisine workshop inviting influencers foodists and media
Disseminate and communicate the project outputs to rise awareness and
promote for quinoa
Activity 3: Implementation of the quinoa value chain business model

19. 2. Salicornia production trials at the
Red Sea Governorate

20. Salicornia bigelovii: a multi-purpose crop
Fresh vegetable Pickled vegetable
Livestock feed Biofuel

21. Salicornia bigelovii: a multi-use halophyte
By Cylphine Dresdine

22. Seed and biomass yield
The maximum seed yield was 2 t/ha
Maximum values for fresh biomass yield/m2 achieved
after irrigation with brackish water. Potential green
biomass values could range from 120-140 t/ha.
Chemical analysis of Salicornia seeds (oil, protein, saponins content)
Salicornia bigelovii
populations
GW: 20 dS/m
SW: 55 dS/m
Protein
content
Crude
Oil content
Crude
Saponins
Content
MI GW 31.7 30 0.9
SW 27.3 24 1.6
SP GW 30.4 21 2.5
SW 30.9 18 2.7
GA GW 30.9 16 1.3
SW 28.8 19 1.2
KS-10 GW 30.6 12 2.8
SW 30.6 15 2.1
KS-11 GW 31.6 13 1.5
SW 28.4 16 1.6
KS-19 GW 29.7 4.8 1.7
SW 30.4 13 1.6

23. Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Program

24. Salicornia-based products
Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Program
Rock samphire smoked
tilapia with quinoa
Jelly of Salicornia Salicornia and rock
samphire bread
Crackers of Salicornia
and rock samphire

25. Parameters of Analysis Salicornia
bigelovii
Aquabrine
(field)
Salicornia
bigelovii
RO-brine
(field)
Salicornia
bigelovii
Aquaponics
Salicornia
europaea
Aquaponics
Energy 23 26 19 16
Fat 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Saturated Fats <DL <DL 0.1 0.1
Mono-Unsaturated Fats <DL 0.1 0.1 0.1
Poly-Unsaturated Fats 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2
trans Fats <DL <DL <DL <DL
Carbohydrates (total) 5.3 5.9 3.8 2.7
Total Sugars 2.3 2.9 1.9 0.8
Proteins 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3
Total Dietary Fibre 3.5 3.6 2.8 3.0
Sodium (Na) 0.9503 0.9922 0.8106 0.10389
Ash (total) 4.5 4.1 3.9 5.7
Moisture 89.8 89.6 91.8 90.9
Potassium (K) 0.16956 0. 14726 0.2219 0.11557
Vitamin D (Calciferol) <DL <DL <DL <DL
Cholesterol <DL <DL <DL <DL
Iron (Fe) 0.00029 0.00039 0.00039 0.00044
Calcium (Ca) 0.124651 0.120202 0.113611 0.121356
Vitamin A (free Retinol) <DL <DL <DL <DL
L- ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) <DL 0.00413 0.0059 0.00295
Arsenic (As) <DL <DL <DL <DL
Cadmium (Cd) <DL <DL <DL <DL
Lead (Pb) <DL <DL <DL <DL
Mercury (Hg) <DL <DL <DL <DL
Chromium (Cr) <DL <DL <DL <DL
Magnesium (Mg) 0.09866 0.07717 0.0704 0.08983
Manganese (Mn) 0.00043 0.00025 0.00035 0.00076

26. Outputs & Activities
Output 1: Introduction of six high-yielding genotypes and best practices for optimal productivity in the
selected locations
Establish pilot Salicornia farms and introduce best soil and water management practices
Study the chemical composition of Salicornia at different growth stages for various uses (human
consumption and animal forage)
Equip farmers with tools for Salicornia harvesting, processing and storage
Output 2: Training program developed for the sustainable implementation of Salicornia cultivation
Develop appropriate training packages to build the necessary capacity along the Salicornia value chain,
including that of farmers (in production), extension workers (in provision of extension services to farmers),
input suppliers (in provision of seeds and equipment), women’s cooperatives (in post-harvest processing
and value addition) and traders (in marketing).
Output 3: Development of a comprehensive business model for a Salicornia value chain
Identify and engage value chain actors
Develop Salicornia-based products taking into account local food preferences
Develop marketing and pricing strategies
Introduce and scale up the business model in targeted areas

28. 3. Integrated aqua-agriculture:
Transforming Waste to Profit – Pilot
capacity building program on
integrated farming in UAE

29. The project aims to develop a training program for farmers, farm workers and
extension officers in UAE, focusing on four main thematic areas:
1) Soil and water management,
2) Crops and halophytes management,
3) Aquaculture, and
4) Marketing strategies and business development.
Training in the first three topics will be targeted to all three groups mentioned above,
whereas the fourth one will be targeted to entrepreneur farmers and extension officers.
All the participants are going to have hands-on farm experience by getting involved in
several field activities as outlined. Apart from notes and presentations, short, concise and
informative videos will be developed that will be available in three languages: Urdu, Arabic
and English.
Training component

30. ICBA activities
-Develop notes, presentations tailor-made to address
farmers’ and farm workers’ needs
-Provide videos in source formats with English & Arabic
voice over
-Ensure workers have access to the Internet for the
onboarding sessions and other relevant materials

31. ICBA team
Diletta Ciolina
Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist
Asad Qureshi
Water and Irrigation
Management Scientist
Ahmed El-Naggar
Soil management
scientist
Khalil Ammar
Hydrology/Hydrogeology
Scientist
Evelyn Gope
Project officer
Dionysia Angeliki Lyra
Halophyte Agronomist
Abdelaziz Hirich
Horticulture
Scientist
Hayatullah Ahmadzai
Post-doc: Agricultural Economist
Henda Al-Mahmoudi
Plant Physiologist
Juan Pablo Rodríguez Calle
Post-doc: Quinoa expert Showkat Nabi Rather
Journalism and Media
Outreach Specialist
Abdumutalib Begmuratov
Communication Specialist