INTEGRATING WATER, ENERGY, AND FOOD FOR SUSTAINABILITY
What if farming could use less water, utilize clean energy, and grow more food at the same time , and all this under the conditions of a changing climate? That’s exactly what GEBAL set out to achieve with its innovative, climate-smart Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus greenhouses. These systems combine solar power, aquaculture, agriculture, and drip irrigation in one circular design. Inside the greenhouse, vegetables grow while fish swim in tanks, and the same water is circulated and used repeatedly, saving both money and resources.
The climate-controlled greenhouse enables farming under changing weather conditions, including extreme heat. In addition to that, the circular design enables farmers to make use of all nutrients and by-products in the farming process. This reduces the need for chemical fertiliser. The protected greenhouse environment shields the crops from pests, which means that farmers need less pesticides. Climate-controlled growing environments further enable farmers to sell their products slightly out of season, generating additional profit margins.
Figure 1: Nexus greenhouse in Esna.
The first two systems were designed and installed by GEBAL in Esna (Luxor) and Dandara (Qena). Funded by Schneider Electric, these pilots served as real-life pilot systems in partnership with the Dandara Development Center and operated by local community members. Two years later, an assessment of the systems’ performance, sustainability, and impact assessment report was funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to measure their social, economic, and environmental benefits. The assessment was used to develop business models and a feasibility study that would help enable the replication and scaling of the solution across Egypt.
The results were remarkable:
- Up to 42.2% water savings compared to traditional irrigation.
- More than 10 tons of CO₂ emissions are reduced per year.
- Savings of 5,447 litres of diesel annually, boosting energy security.
- Training provided to 296 farmers, researchers, and students on sustainable agriculture.
Figure 2: Community members receiving training around the greenhouse system.
ENHANCING LOCAL LIVELIHOODS
For rural communities in Upper Egypt, these systems are more than just technology. They create opportunities, reduce dependency on expensive diesel, and make farming possible even in water-scarce areas and extreme heat. Families benefit directly from fresh vegetables and fish grown locally, while also earning income by selling their produce in markets.
In Upper Egypt, the protected framing environment offers additional opportunities for female farmers to become more engaged in farming and greenhouse operation, thus helping to advance gender inclusion in agriculture.
A PROMISING BUSINESS MODEL
The feasibility study produced a favourable business model for the climate-controlled, integrated greenhouse solution. However, the sustainability analysis also revealed that the profitability of the model depends on careful planning and crop selection, informed marketing, and good agricultural practices. Especially adapting to fish farming can be challenging in agricultural environments where fish farming is not yet commonly practiced. Moreover, larger production areas, for example by several farmers working together to establish greenhouses, also enhances profitability.
Figure 3: Inside the greenhouse where the fishpond is located.
SCALING ACROSS EGYPT
Following the success in Esna and Dandara, the model has been implemented in three other rural areas across Egypt: Meit Al Qasry (Menoufia), Atnooh Village (Marsa Matrouh), and Samla Village (Marsa Matrouh). Each new site adapts the design to local needs, whether it is larger cooling systems, water treatment and desalination, or more solar-powered irrigation pumps. The goal remains the same: enabling small farmers to enhance local food production even in a changing climate through clean energy, sustainable water use, and protected growing conditions.
A MODEL FOR CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE
GEBAL’s innovative WEF Nexus system is paving the way for climate-smart farming in Egypt. It shows how integrated solutions can reduce poverty, cut emissions, and strengthen food security.
Interested in reading the full report or the feasibility study of the model? Contact GEBAL at info@gebalegypt.com, and we are happy to spread the knowledge.
0 Comments