Muhammad Abdulqadir, Head of the Farmers Syndicate, is upset about the way the government has handled the crisis of Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam and the negative impact it will have on farmers. He called on the farmers to participate in the upcoming protests on June 30, which will call for an early presidential election.
Muhammad Abdulqadir, Head of the Farmers Syndicate, is upset about the way the government has handled the crisis of Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam and the negative impact it will have on farmers. He called on the farmers to participate in the upcoming protests on June 30, which will call for an early presidential election.
Two years ago, in the aftermath of the revolution, the Farmers Syndicate was established to include 1,300,000 land owning members. Since then, the syndicate has sought to defend farmers and protect their interests in the decisions that affect Egyptian farmers. The syndicate demanded the government meet its promises, namely improving the farmers’ situation and providing them with agricultural fertilizers, chemicals and health insurance, in addition to specialized hospitals that provide low-cost treatment services.
Abdulqadir described the risks faced by Egyptian farmers and their difficult situation. He also warned against the dangerous impacts of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Egyptian farmers, saying it would lead to Egypt’s downfall amidst the failure of the political leadership to handle the crisis. Abdulqadir expressed his doubts about President Morsi’s statements about increasing wheat production and Egypt’s progress towards wheat self-sufficiency in the coming years.
Mr. Abdulqadir, what does the syndicate provide to farmers?
It looks after them and demands that their problems are solved, the most prominent of which is the huge unpaid debts and interests to the Agricultural Bank for Development and Credit in exchange for fertilizers and chemicals.
The syndicate provides agricultural associations with fertilizers and chemicals sold on the black market for 175 EP ($ 3.5) for each bag. We suggested that they be sold to farmers for 45 EP, but the agricultural associations sell them for 75. That led the syndicate to seriously consider establishing two fertilizer factories to get rid of the monopoly of the black market dealers. The needed lands were assigned, 10% of the project’s needed funds were also provided and the rest will be secured through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Why has the syndicate established the Farmer Company?
When we first established it, the farmers’ interests were our priority. We have always wanted an entity that unifies all farmers and gives them health insurance. The company is an example of the syndicate’s achievements. It is an Egyptian stock company that aims at developing the agricultural activities to prevent the exploitation of farmers. We also aim to make Egyptian villages productive. It is not reasonable to export the Egyptian broad beans for 2 EP (US $.28) and then import them for 60 EP (US $8.50). The company will work in collaboration with the two fertilizer factories, which the syndicate plans to establish.
Some people play down the dangers of the Renaissance Dam on the Egyptians, what is your opinion?
Egyptian farmers suffer problems related to lifestyle, food and clothes. Today, water issues were added to the list. The syndicate observed 12 governorates which use sewage, agricultural and industrial water to irrigate their crops and absolutely, the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will aggravate matters and affect the Egyptian farmers and their families, as diverting the Nile’s track will hugely affect Egypt’s water share and that, in turn, will affect Egypt’s agricultural land area. In light of the government’s indifference and taking into consideration that Egypt is already suffering from insufficient agricultural land, which is not enough to meet its needs, any further water shortage will thwart any hope of increasing the cultivated lands.
Are there specific crops that will be affected by water shortages and will there be decisions to ban growing certain crops?
Rice is one crop that requires a lot of water and thus the government will resort to reduce growing it. There are many vegetables which need large quantities of water and that will lead us to warning against using sewage water to irrigate the agricultural lands as it causes diseases, a thing we expect the government to handle to make up for the water lost from Egypt’s share.
What are the areas, most likely, to suffer from the loss of water allocated to Egypt?
The most affected areas are the ones away from the Delta. That will decrease the crops grown due to water shortages. The syndicate will prepare a list of these areas and refer it to the Irrigation Committee at the Shura Council to take the necessary measures to solve the crisis before it hits.
What about the statements of President Morsi about increasing wheat production?
President Morsi said in one of his speeches that Egypt’s wheat production will reach 9.5 million tons this year, but unfortunately, this figure is not real as the government has collected only 3.6 million tons.
Did the situation of Egyptian farmers improve after President Morsi took office?
As has become evident to all, the farmers’ situation has not changed since the revolution, it has worsened. Farmers’ life problems increased and their social circumstances have become more difficult as they do not have their own hospitals or social insurance and no one cares about them.
What do you think of President Morsi?
The ruling regime lacks the political experience needed. Even after a year in office, we have not noticed any change in the country’s situation. Therefore, I believe President Morsi and his group have not contributed anything new so far. I have signed the Rebel form demanding early presidential elections since he has not contributed much to the country.
What is your advice for farmers in the coming period?
All farmers should serve Egypt’s interests and look to the future. Egypt is full of resources and we should all build upon them.
What about the protests of June 30 that demand early presidential elections?
I call on farmers to take part (on June 30), as the current regime does not recognize them and thus they should take revenge and not wait for others to do it for them.
