Farmers in Egypt’s ‘mango city’ adapt to battle climate change
Egypt, and particularly Ismailia city, is known for mango cultivation over tens of thousands of acres.
By Reuters and ILH Staff
08-23-2022
Excerpt:
In Egypt’s canal city of Ismailia, farmers have been trying to save their mango crops from the impact of climate change and the seasonal sooty mold.
Having lost 70% of their crop last year following unexpected heat waves, agricultural Engineer Sameh Hussein, says that farmers have had to adapt.
With proper ventilation techniques, greenhouses, pruning and fertilizers, farmers say this year’s production is almost back to normal.
“We’re coming out of a deteriorated season last year; the weather conditions were not suitable. But this year, most of the farms have production,” Hussein added.
Farmers have also started growing different types of mangoes that hadn’t been locally grown before, as some foreign species endure heat.
“We started growing mangoes which are not originally local to match the climate like the crimson, naomi, and yasmina; these types match the current climate enduring high temperature and the cold as well,” mango farms owner and vendor, Ramadan Ahmed Mahmoud said.
Egypt, and particularly Ismailia city, is known for mango cultivation over tens of thousands of acres. The country has in recent years witnessed searing heat as part of the global pattern of rising temperatures.
Mangoes are a beloved part of summer in Egypt, sunset-colored varieties are normally abundant in fruit stalls and juice shops through the streets of the capital Cairo.
