July 11, 2023 at 11:47 am

Egypt is building an artificial river parallel to the Nile River at a cost of $5.2 billion and as part of its New Delta project.

Authorities say the river will help expand agricultural land and reduce the need to import food and wheat.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year drove a global surge in wheat prices, leaving Egypt struggling as it is the world’s biggest wheat importer.

Russia and Ukraine supplied Egypt with 80 per cent of its wheat imports in 2021.

  • 4ce@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    The article gives another reason:

    Authorities say the river will help expand agricultural land and reduce the need to import food and wheat.
    The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year drove a global surge in wheat prices, leaving Egypt struggling as it is the world’s biggest wheat importer.

    In addition, in recent years there have been droughts in East Africa as well, which can’t have been good for the amount of water the Nile carries, and the dam you mention just adds to the whole thing.