From March 16 to 22, three researchers from the Technology Innovation Center of the Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center—Bi Junguo, Zhang Anning, and Liu Zaochang—were invited to visit the Desert Research Center of Egypt (DRC), the Agriculture Research Center of Egypt (ARC), and the National Water Research Center of Egypt (NWRC) under the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. The delegation conducted academic exchanges and discussed potential research collaborations.

The Chinese scientists engaged in in-depth discussions with Egyptian counterparts on water-saving and drought-resistance rice research, as well as the introduction and demonstration trials of China’s water-saving and drought-resistant rice varieties in Egypt. Notably, constructive dialogues and workshops were held with the Agriculture Research Center, culminating in the signing of a bilateral meeting summary, laying the groundwork for future research cooperation memorandums. During the visit, the team also investigated local agricultural enterprises operating in Egypt.

Egypt, a country with severe desertification and arid climate conditions, has only about 5% of its land suitable for habitation. Despite its reliance on the Nile River and fertile river valleys and delta plains—which account for just one-fifth of the nation’s territory and produce some of the world’s highest rice yields—the high water consumption of rice cultivation has led the government to restrict its expansion. The Gene Center’s focus on water-saving and drought-resistant rice breeding and variety innovation has become a key area of mutual interest and collaboration between the two sides.