An innovative idea and an initiative by an engineer who refused to limit his role to the limits of his usual job duties, so he initiated a project to benefit from animal and agricultural waste around Lake Nasser and convert it from waste harmful to the environment into gas and fertilizer that reduce emissions and face climate changes and convert waste into a product of economic value, which is one of the projects Nominated for the Smart Green Projects Award.
International experiences
Engineer Muhammad Abu Zaid, head of the High Dam Lake Maintenance Department at the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, says that the idea of establishing a central unit for the production of organic fertilizer and biogas was not new, as India and Brazil were among the first countries to work on this project and benefit from it, adding that he joined in 2014. He received training supported by the Ministry of Environment focusing on preparing engineers who are able to implement units for the production of biogas. Then he came up with the idea of establishing a project that works on the production of biogas and organic fertilizer from waste at the Qastal land crossing, which contains the Veterinary Stone that connects Egypt and Sudan.
Veterinary examination
“Abu Zaid” added that this port is the most entry for live animals into Egypt, as live animals from Sudan and Africa enter Egypt, stressing that all animals remain in quarantine for a period awaiting veterinary examination on them, and from those periods results in waste and dung that enable those in charge of the project From using it in the production of gas by placing it in biogas units, which are rooms that are built underground to treat waste and dung and produce gas that is transported through transport pipes for use.
The head of the High Dam Lake Maintenance Department explained that animal waste is one of the reasons for the release of methane gas. Which raises the rate of global warming and greenhouse gases, adding that, based on his work in the Lake Nasser area, he came up with the idea of benefiting from the animal and plant wastes available in the farms in large areas around Lake Nasser, and that is much better than dumping those wastes on the ground because of the pests and diseases they contain. And putrefaction to harm healthy plants.
Abu Zeid stressed that the agricultural waste that is not removed or transported, the project will transfer it to the central unit and combine it with the organic waste of animals entering the crossing, which is a process similar to the “digestive system”, to analyze the components and extract them in the form of organic fertilizer and biogas. He added that it is possible to re-operate the organic fertilizer extracted from the digestive system of the project in the farms around it, and to present it to agricultural investors as a better alternative to the chemical fertilizers that they import.
A decision by the Prime Minister
Abu Zeid pointed out that there is a decision by the Prime Minister regarding the prohibition of the use of fertilizers, chemicals, or pesticides around Lake Nasser, and thus the project of producing biogas and organic fertilizer from waste is presented to investors as a good alternative that increases the productivity of the land better than chemical fertilizers. In addition to protecting the land from desertification, solidification and salinization, which reduces its age.
His Excellency pointed out that replacing chemical fertilizers with a low-cost local alternative; It will help investors rationalize their expenses, reduce emissions resulting from production and transportation, reduce the total cost, and achieve sustainable development goals; Since the central unit of the project is located around Al Ziraat and Lake Nasser.
