The Machine of Soil and Water Management for Rice Crop Cultivation (SWMR) is devised by Mohamed El-Sayyed El-Hagarey at the Desert Research Center in Cairo. The machine ploughs the field in a manner that saves about 50 per cent of water used for rice irrigation, and cut the fertilizer usage up to 25 per cent.

Rice paddies across the world use 34−43 per cent of available water for irrigation. But the growing demand of water for agriculture, increasing population and climatic changes are responsible for rapid shrinking of developed fresh water resources around the globe.

The Zig-Zag paddy field

El-Hagarey designed a simple SWMR machine. Towed by a cart, the machine makes “V” shaped lines 20 cm deep and equally wide. It also sows rice seedlings automatically by a tray on top.

The basic cylinder is heart of the machine with many circular projections around. The projections carved cross section of trenches in the soil.

The V-shaped tranches use less water as compared to normal ground level. In traditional rice cultivation the in paddy field often submerge in water completely.

The machine was tested at Kafr el-Sheikh area, which is a famous for rice cultivation in Egypt. The initial test showed very promising results.

“I observed great results by saving about 50 per cent of irrigation water and 25 per cent of nutrients,” El-Hagarey said.

In an email reply to Muslim Science, El-Hagarey said that he is also working for further efficient model of the machine which could save more water and fertilizer in the future.

The innovative machine won the WatSave Award for Young Professionals from the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) in November 2016.

Many countries are interested to use this machine and even offer a joint venture to El-Hagarey.

“Actually I have some problems in funding, but investigators from many states especially from India and China are offering me for commercial or joint venture,” told El-Hagarey to Muslim Science.

Experts in Egypt warn of water scarcity as a result of Ethiopian Renaissance Dam at the River Nile. On the other hand, Egypt is facing water shortage due to climatic changes and increasing population.