The BUCRA project empowers smallholder farmers in Egypt’s Nile Delta with climate-smart agricultural practices and advanced digital tools. Using FutureWater’s Croptimal and SOSIA, the project optimizes crop selection and irrigation efficiency, addressing water scarcity and climate change. Demonstration plots and tailored training drive sustainable, resilient farming.
The BUCRA (Building Unity for Climate Resilient Agriculture) project aims to strengthen agricultural resilience in Qahbunah, a farming community in Egypt’s Nile Delta. Local farmers face growing pressures from water scarcity, climate change, and land fragmentation, creating an urgent need for innovative and practical solutions to safeguard their livelihoods.
At the core of BUCRA is Croptimal, developed by FutureWater. Croptimal bridges advanced data-driven technologies with local agricultural knowledge to support farmers in making smarter, climate-resilient decisions.
Croptimal is a climate suitability analysis tool that combines climate projections, geospatial data, and agricultural expertise to assess the suitability of crops under both current and future climate conditions. By identifying which crops and locations are most resilient to stressors such as heat, salinity, and water scarcity, Croptimal provides farmers with clear, data-driven recommendations for crop selection and planting strategies. The tool delivers detailed maps and actionable insights, helping farmers adapt to climate change while improving productivity and reducing risk.
Complementing Croptimal, BUCRA also applies smart irrigation advice through digital tools that improve water-use efficiency. Using open-source satellite data, real-time weather information, and local soil conditions, farmers receive precise, daily irrigation recommendations. These are delivered directly via WhatsApp, ensuring the service is accessible, practical, and cost-effective. This approach reduces water and energy use while maintaining or improving crop yields—an essential benefit in the water-stressed Nile Delta.
Beyond digital tools, BUCRA includes demonstration plots that showcase climate-smart practices such as efficient irrigation, improved soil management, and crop rotation. Farmers take part in a blended learning programme, combining hands-on field training with simple digital applications designed for easy adoption.
A strong emphasis is placed on empowering youth and women, strengthening market linkages, and promoting sustainable land-use practices. By aligning Dutch expertise with local needs, BUCRA seeks to increase productivity, stabilise incomes, and build a more sustainable agricultural future for Qahbunah.
The project’s long-term vision is to encourage wider adoption of these tools and practices across the region, contributing to improved food and water security while addressing the growing challenges of climate change.
The Croptimal app is available at Croptimal.app. Get in touch with us if you would like more information or to request your own account.
