Egypt revives Western Desert agricultural project
Egypt has breathed new life into an old agricultural project in its Western Desert, hoping it will increase food production and reduce imports.
CAIRO — Egypt is reawakening a decades-old agricultural project in its Western Desert as it endeavors to feed its growing population and bridge a wide gap between food production and consumption in it.
The Toshka project, Egypt's first serious attempt to invade its vast desert, was launched by late President Hosni Mubarak in 1997.
The project was Mubarak's ambitious plan to create the New Delta in the middle of the desert and bring about economic development that would effect positive social change in his country.
Mubarak spent 40 billion Egyptian pounds on the project, establishing the necessary electricity plants and water pumping stations.
