Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation

Regional Training Center for Water Resources and Irrigation

Works under the auspices of UNESCO - Accredited by the Central Agency for Organization and Administration - Accredited ICDL

The initiative of the Regional Training Center, within the scope of its responsibilities and community engagement


Headquarters and branches

20 /August / 2024

As part of the initiative by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation aimed at preserving water resources and making use of the water hyacinth plant, which is one of the challenges facing the water sector due to its rapid growth and spread, consuming fresh Nile water, obstructing its flow in waterways, and threatening river navigation. The greatest challenge was not in eliminating the water hyacinth plant but in finding ways to utilize it. In response, the Regional Training Center, within the scope of its responsibilities and community engagement, took the initiative to utilize the water hyacinth plant in a pioneering effort to find solutions, create job opportunities for families, and develop their skills in handicrafts, contributing to life changes for them and their children. This initiative also aims to alleviate future environmental and economic burdens and conserve water resources. The Regional Training Center for Water Resources and Irrigation organized a series of training courses titled **"Utilizing the Water Hyacinth Plant"**. These courses targeted water user associations, both women and men, across the governorates of Egypt, as well as interested members of civil society. The center’s training courses focus on two main aspects: 1. **The first aspect** involves providing training courses to train men and women on methods of collecting, drying, and preparing the water hyacinth plant in bundles, ready for use in manufacturing handicrafts. The use of manual tools by water user associations to collect the plant creates job opportunities that generate income for those involved. The collection process utilizes simple manual tools, reducing the costs of waterway maintenance. 2. **The second aspect** consists of two-level courses where participants are trained in techniques for transforming the water hyacinth plant into handicrafts that can be utilized in small projects to increase family income and provide job opportunities. Ten training courses were conducted at the center's main headquarters in 6th of October City and branches in Kafr El-Sheikh, Esna, and Damanhur, training 214 women from civil society and water user associations. The outcome of these courses was the creation of a range of high-precision, distinctive products. These products varied from bags of different shapes and sizes, tablecloths, tissue boxes, coasters, sun hats, vases, slippers, and more. Continuing its effective role, the center will support the women participating in the water hyacinth utilization courses by showcasing their products in exhibitions across the country with the participation of relevant ministries. In light of the evaluations, feedback, and the interest in these courses, as well as civil society’s appreciation of the efforts of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Regional Training Center's logistical capabilities and training expertise, the center will continue to offer and develop these courses as they are essential for a clean and sustainable environment, in alignment with Egypt's Vision 2030.