A research team at the Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, has published a groundbreaking study that marks a significant step toward achieving food security in Egypt. The study offers scientific and practical solutions to enhance wheat productivity and reduce water consumption amid the environmental and climatic challenges facing the country.

Funded by the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) in cooperation with the British Council, the study was conducted by a collaborative team from Mansoura University and the Agricultural Research Center, with additional contributions from researchers in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

The study was led by Dr. Yasser Mohamed Noureddine Shabaneh, Professor of Plant Diseases at Mansoura University, alongside Dr. Ahmed Al-Qat from the Wheat Research Department, Dr. Maha Lotfy from the Central Climate Laboratory, and Dr. Ahmed Khair, currently affiliated with the Institute for Strategy and Technology Assessment in Germany. The findings were published in the prestigious journal Agricultural Water Management (Q1, Impact Factor 6.5).

Using the advanced DSSAT model, the team simulated wheat performance in four Egyptian climatic zones Nubaria, Beni Suef, Ismailia, and Qena over two growing seasons. The simulations evaluated five irrigation systems and multiple wheat varieties under different environmental conditions.

Results revealed that optimized irrigation management could significantly boost yields, while strategic rationing of water could greatly enhance efficiency. The study also found that rising temperatures and increased CO2 levels may positively impact productivity in certain areas. Local wheat varieties such as Shandweel 1 and Suds 1 demonstrated superior performance under water-stressed conditions, making them highly promising for arid and semi-arid regions.

Dr. Shabaneh emphasized that these findings provide robust scientific evidence to support the implementation of precision irrigation and the climate-based allocation of wheat varieties. He affirmed that the study paves the way for science-informed agricultural policies that promote the sustainability of wheat production in Egypt and similar climates.