In collaboration with Arab League (AFTAAC) and the Regional Training Sector for Water Resources and Irrigation (RTSWRI), AU SAFAGRAD organized a nine (9) – day training in Cairo, Egypt, from 8th to 16th July 2018.
This 2018 training session targeted early and mid-career public sector (NARIs and Ministries of Agriculture, Water and Environment) irrigation professionals from twenty-five (25) AU Member States (AUMS). The trainees received intensive lectures on irrigation and related issues from eminent professors. They did also very interesting field visits to some irrigation schemes in Egypt, a country well known for its expertise in Irrigation and water resources sector.
The theme « efficient irrigation technologies for building small holders’ resilience in dryland agriculture » was conceived to accelerate the actualization of the Malabo goal of doubling productivity through irrigation agriculture intensification. The fully residential training programme adopted a combination of class-room and field practical approaches.
The focus of the training workshop was to:
- build capacity of young professionals (engineers, practitioners and administrators) in the areas of designing and managing small water and cost-efficient irrigation facilities;
- update participants knowledge on management, operations and coordination of Water Users Organization (WUO);
- improve performance of small irrigation schemes in Africa through participatory planning, infrastructure operation and maintenance (O&M) for effective water use in relation to water scarcity and productivity, prevention or mitigation of environmental problems (e.g. salinity, water quality) associated with irrigation agriculture as well as related governance issues critical to scheme operation.
The closing ceremony of the training course was organized on July 14, 2018 with the presence of H.E. Dr. Ragab Abdelazeem, deputy minister, ministry of water resources and irrigation of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Dr. Ahmed Elmekass, Coordinator of AU-SAFGRAD. Also attended H.E Ambassador Abdoulaziz Buhedma, director of Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to the African Countries (AFTAAC), H.E. Ambassador Abdul Hamid Bouzaher, Head of permanent AU mission to the Arabic League, Ms. Sherine Imam, 1st Counsellor, operation department, representing the Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to the African Countries (AFTAAC) and Dr. Mamdouh Antar, the undersecretary for regional water cooperation, Head of the Regional Training Sector for Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Water Resources and irrigation of Egypt.
During the closing ceremony official Speech and statements have been delivered to the attendees by the Officials. A vote of thanks has been delivered by a representative of the trainees. This was followed by the award of the certificates to the participants. To conclude the ceremony a group photo was taken and a nice cocktail offered.
Group Picture of the participants at the beguning of the course
Dr Ahmed ELMEKASS, AU SAFGRAD Coordinator, giving a certificate to a trainee
The presidium during the closing ceremony with notably H.E. Dr. Ragab Abdelazeem, deputy minister, ministry of water resources and irrigation of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Dr. Ahmed Elmekass, Coordinator of AU-SAFGRAD
