Egyptian Cotton Grows in Sinai For the First Time

Egypt has successfully cultivated cotton in the Sinai desert for the first time, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. The achievement comes as part of a broader initiative to expand agricultural production into arid regions and make use of previously uncultivated land.

The project, overseen by the ministry’s Cotton Research Institute, involved planting cotton seeds in the North Sinai governorate. The experiment was conducted on a 10-feddan plot in the Rawafaa area, using modern irrigation techniques and soil improvement methods tailored to the desert environment. The ministry reported that the cotton plants showed healthy growth and produced high-quality fibres, comparable to those grown in Egypt’s traditional Delta and Upper Egypt regions.

The Sinai experiment is part of a national strategy to increase agricultural output, reduce reliance on imported raw materials, and create new job opportunities in remote areas. The ministry has indicated that the success of this pilot project could pave the way for larger-scale cotton cultivation across Sinai and other desert regions.

Egyptian cotton, known for its long staple and high quality, has long been a key export and a symbol of the country’s agricultural heritage.

The ministry plans to monitor the results of the Sinai project throughout the current season and assess the potential for expanding the initiative.