Second Matrouh Resource Management Project
PDF-B Proposal
1. Country and Location: Egypt, the North West Coast region (NWC).
2. GEF Focal Areas: Biodiversity & Climate Change
3. Operational Program: OP # 12 Integrated Ecosystem Management
4. Project Title: Second Matrouh Resource Management Project (MRMP II).
5. Total Cost: US$ 43 million
Financing plan
World bank ( IBRD Loan)
IFAD
AFSED ( Arab Fund)
GEF
Government ( GOE)
TOTAL
: US$ 15 million
: US$ 10 million
: US$ 10 million
: US$ 5 million
: US$ 3 million
: US$ 43 million
6. PDF-B request: US$ 300,000
7. In-Kind contributions: US$ 50,000; other cofinancing: $360,400 (PHRD grant)
8. Proposing GEF Implementing Agency: The World Bank
9. Executing Agency: Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR)
10. Country Eligibility: Egypt ratified the CBD in June 1994.
11. Duration: 12 months
12. Background:
Agricultural development implemented in the last few decades in the North West Coast (NWC)
has transformed traditional, ecologically balanced, pastoral systems to sedentary agriculture. This
transformation has increased man and animal pressures on the fragile resource base and
ecosystems of arid environment, creating a cycle of resource degradation and human poverty,
threatening biodiversity, and accelerating environmental harms. Degradation has been
exacerbated by absence of strategic planning for sustainable resource management; lack of
adaptive research effectively integrated with development; and limited experience of the
Bedouins in sustainable resource management.
Matrouh Resource Management Project (MRMP), 1994-2001, has been implemented to break the
degradation cycle and alleviate poverty in its mandated rainfed area in the NWC. The project, cofinanced by the Government of Egypt (GOE) and the World Bank (WB), is a development project
with a strong research/extension base and environmental conservation dimension. MRMP, in
effective participation with Bedouin communities, has developed strategies and plans, and
employed holistic approaches integrating themes of sustainable resource management,
agricultural production improvement, and social development. Improved technologies tested and
adopted; soil, water, and biodiversity conserved and utilized in a sustainable manner; new
germplasms introduced, indigenous range species collected, and adaptable exotic species brought
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in, multiplied, and grown on vast areas. New economic activities availed, extensive training,
literacy education, and a multiple of other social development programs conducted for Bedouin
men and women.
Upon impressive achievements of MRMP, reversing partially the degradation trend and partially
alleviating poverty, GOE and WB have contemplated extending the project for a “Follow up”
phase. To strengthen the sustainability dimension of resource conservation and use, it has been
visualized that the ‘follow up’ phase should assign a particular and stronger emphasis on
environmental aspects, indirectly tackled in the first phase. Therefore, biodiversity and carbon
sequestration related issues were considered as one of the five major components of the proposed
project, for which GEF funding is being sought. New environment-related objectives were
included, resources needed were assessed, and technical and socioeconomic activities were
designed (at an initial cost estimate of US$ 6.5 millions) to achieve these objectives. Hence, this
proposal provides a strong case of full mainstreaming between global objectives and national
level development projects advocated by the different donor institutions and the GOE.
Project Area
The mandated area of MRMP extends over 320 km along the NWC, with about 60 km inland. A
semi-desert environment prevails in this region, moderated however by maritime influence in the
north where most people live. Agriculture is the main source of living for 70% of its Bedouin
population. Rainfall, the main water source for all uses, is low and erratic. The long-term annual
average is around 150 mm along the coast and for about 20 km inland, beyond that it drops
drastically. The cultivated area is roughly 7% of the total area, fallow (9%), rangelands (48%),
and barren lands (36%). Crops (mainly barley), horticulture (mainly fig and olive), and animal
production (sheep and goats, and some camels) are practiced, but yields are generally low and
highly variable.
Most of the Bedouin population is living in scattered settlements, where territorial tribal land is
allocated to its members, and tribal traditions and customary laws organize the Bedouin
community. Economic occupations and employment opportunities are thin Illiteracy is common,
and public services are rare. The project area is the least developed in the NWC, having the most
degraded natural resources, and the most impoverished population. However, its physiography
and geo-hydrology are ideal for effective use of water harvesting systems. These, incorporated
with improved resource management technologies promoted by efficient research for
development programs, would allow for a sustainable resource development and production
improvement.
13. Project Description
The components of the overall MRMP II are:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
Integrated watershed management;
Community-based and demand driven approaches to socioeconomic development;
Biodiversity enrichment, environmental conservation, and carbon sequestration;
Adaptive research and extension; and
Project coordination unit, including monitoring and evaluation.
Major activities or implementation sub-projects have been identified, prioritized, and budgeted.
The availability, conservation, and efficient use of water, soil, and biodiversity occupy particular
priority in the proposed phase taking into consideration the integration between and within the
activities. A particular focus has been given to crop/animal/ biodiversity interactions; and to
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integrating the human resource and social development with the environment and biodiversity,
emphasizing the role of rural women in resource management sustainability.
Funds for financing the proposed Follow-up phase have already been solicited from, and initially
negotiated with, the WB, IFAD, and other funding agencies. Initial approvals have already been
obtained. Funding is sought from GEF to cover the incremental cost related to global benefits
resulting from “Biodiversity and Carbon Sequestration” activities as an integrated and
consolidated sub-project of the follow up phase.
Overall Goal:
The ultimate goal of the proposed project is to contribute to solving the biodiversity–agriculture
dilemma through a variety of programs for resource conservation and improved management, and
for production sustainability that integrate biodiversity and climate change considerations with
other biophysical and socioeconomic dimensions.
Global Objectives:
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Development of appropriate technologies and integrated systems for sustainable natural
resource management and conservation to enhance and conserve globally significant
biodiversity, and to ensure sustainable socio-economic development;
Quantify and monitor various aspects of carbon sequestration to establish mechanisms by
which degraded lands in the arid/semi arid areas can retain productivity, and deteriorated
systems are returned to sustainable productive systems that provide long-term benefits to the
beneficiaries as well as contribute to the reduction of global atmospheric carbon dioxide.
14. Project Linkages to GEF, National Priorities, and Action Plans
The overall objective of the proposed project is the conservation, rehabilitation, and sustainable
utilization of natural resources in marginal areas in NWC of Egypt. The environmental thematic
objective emphasizes restoration of the degraded vast areas into production, improving natural
vegetation, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration issues. In support of the objectives, the
proposed MRMP II will build on the community-based participatory development approaches
promoted through the first phase of MRMP.
Egypt has undertaken a number of steps and actions to ensure a proper conservation of the natural
resources. Two major Laws have been passed governing the conservation of biodiversity, Law
102/83 for the Natural Protectorates, and Law 4/1994 for the Environment. Establishment of
natural protectorates has been the primary conservation tool in the country. Biodiversity
conservation and management on other areas outside the protectorates is achieved through
adopting EIAs in all new development projects, and regulated hunting of protected species. Egypt
is also a signatory to many international agreements for the conservation of nature, including the
Biodiversity Convention (CBD). Concrete steps have been taken; the “National Study on
Biological Diversity” was completed in 1996, followed by releasing the “National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan” in 1998. The principal strategic goal is proper management and
protection of the natural resources and biodiversity. Institutional strengthening, capacity building,
improving awareness, and fostering private sectors, NGOs, and research institutes have been
considered to support the implementation of the strategy and action plan.
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Objectives of MRMP II are directly linked to national environmental priorities, and to the
Ministry of Agriculture’s strategies to increase productivity of rainfed areas. The Country
Assistance Strategy (CAS), in accordance with national development policies for these areas,
emphasized the objectives of (i) prevention of further environmental degradation; (ii)
reconstruction of economic infrastructure to make use of local resources, experience, and
traditions of the native population; (iii) creation of primary agro-processing industry; (iv)
improvement of social infrastructure to improve living conditions and discourage rural migration
to urban areas; and (v) promotion of private sector investment in these areas to strengthen its
integration in the national economy.
MRMP II is in harmony with GEF’s OP # 12 on “Integrated Ecosystem Management”. The
environmental impact of the project is expected to be strongly positive. The project would
quantify and monitor carbon sequestration, and will establish mechanisms to enhance biodiversity
and restore productivity of degraded soils, and improve prospects for sustainable natural resource
management by capturing/retarding runoffs and enriching the vegetative cover. Restoration
mechanisms will increase soil fertility by increasing soil organic matter. The promotion of
efficient water conservation systems, and fruit tree planting in the coastal zone, would support the
transition to an ecologically more balanced system of sedentary agriculture, reducing soil erosion
meanwhile. The introduction of proper water conservation, shrubs planting and improved
management of rangelands, and promotion of non-agricultural income-generating activities would
effectively contribute to combating desertification, in the long run. The scope of the project
would also justify the establishment of biodiversity-reserved areas.
With appropriate baseline and reference scenarios, the carbon accumulated and the appropriate
verification can result in carbon credits being traded as Certified Emission Reduction Credits to
Annex 1 Country, if the Kyoto Protocol is ratified and carbon sinks are accepted. An international
trading program currently exists, even in the absence of the ratified treaty. An important
component of the proposed project is to assess the total carbon to be sequestered, and the cost and
potential benefits in economic terms. GEF could strongly support this activity, as well as other
activities of relevance.
15. Global Significance
The NWC of Egypt, known since antiquity as “Marmarica”, and characterized by homogeneous
natural features in terms of climate, soils, vegetation, and land-use, has historically been very rich
in natural habitats and biodiversity (plant and animal), containing a substantial part of the
Egyptian flora. The area constitutes a self-contained biographic entity within the North African
portion of the Mediterranean region. The NWC has significant dryland areas that have been
exposed to degradation as a result of the erratic rainfall patterns and unsustainable land use
systems practiced in these marginal areas. Many rare species are now seriously endangered.
Natural resource degradation has been reflected in reduced biodiversity, endangered species, low
carbon sequestration low renewable energy production in the region, and declined income of the
Bedouins.
15.1 Plant biodiversity
Plant biodiversity includes a multitude of domesticated (indigenous or exotic) agricultural
germplasms, and wild plant species. Local old varieties of some field crops and horticulture are
still grown, as well as new improved ones. Some wild species and wild relatives of some crop
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plants are also found, such as for the genera of Hordium, Vicia, Trifolium, Medicago, Allium,
Solanum, Pheonix, Vigna, Gossypium, and Brassica.
Crops: Field crops species grown are barley, in the main, and some wheat. Other field crops
recently introduced and grown on very small areas are lentil, chickpea, faba bean, clover, alfalfa,
and peanut. Horticulture species are fig, olive, almond, grapes, date palm; and a variety of
vegetables as onion, watermelon, muskmelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and mint. Other vegetables
might be grown on very small plots for home consumption are cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber,
eggplant, pepper, garlic, peas, beans, turnip, beet, okra, lettuce, spinach, carrot, and others.
Natural flora: In a plant biodiversity study prepared by the project, 990 species of vascular plants
were identified; based on field observations (some 250 species), the Students’ Flora of Egypt
(Tacklom, 1974), the Flora of Egypt Checklist (Bolous, 1995), and over 145 publications. The
990 species are distributed in 444 genera and 90 families. In addition, there are 55 sub-species
and 25 varieties, making the total number of epithets 1070 entities or taxons, representing almost
half the flora of Egypt. A catalogue of these species with main ecological and distribution
characteristics is provided in Appendix 1.
The plant biodiversity study revealed the following:
 Some 90 % of the species are found within 25-km distance from the seashore while some
10 % are restricted to the desert (eremophytes);
 Herbaceous species accounts for 84 %, shrubs for 13 %, and only 0.5 % trees;
 Species from cultivated lands and fallow represent 45 % of the flora while wasteland
species are 18 %, range plants 16 %, and those from wetland 18 %.
 Species with any known utilization represent 43 % of the flora, while 36 % are usable for
grazing, and 14 % for medicinal and herbal usage;
 More than 58 % of the flora has no grazing value, 33 % rate as poor, 8 % as fair to good,
4 % are excellent, and 4 % toxic;
 Some 43 % are classed weeds, 17 % are psammophytes, 14 % hygrophytes, 12 %
halophytes, 4 % eremophytes and nitratiphytis, while 4 % belong to tachytherophytes
(ephemerals), chasmophytes (rocks) and hydrophytes (free water).
15.2 Animal biodiversity
Domesticated animals: Farm animals are the major group of domesticated animals. The Bedouin
population in the NWC traditionally keeps local breeds of sheep, goats, camels, cows, horses,
donkeys, mules, and rabbits. In addition to local breeds, MRMP has introduced new breeds of
some of these species, as well as new species such as honeybee, enriching biodiversity and
increasing farm income. Very few species of pet animals such as dogs and cats also inhabit the
area.
Wildlife animals: Marmarica used to be famous of its rich wildlife habitats for a multitude of
animal genera and species of mammals, local and migrating birds, rodents, reptiles, fish and other
sea animals, and butterflies. Appendix 2 includes 33 species of birds, and 43 species of other
wildlife animals. It should be noted, however, that Appendix 2 is not an inclusive list, and many
other species were not listed.
15.3 Bird biodiversity
Avifauna is an important component of the biological resources in the NWC region. The
Bedouins traditionally keep several domesticated bird (poultry) species such as chickens, pigeons,
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turkey, goose, and ducks. Many native wildlife bird species are known in the region, as well as
many non-breeding migrant species of Pole-arctic origin that pass through, or spend the winter in
the country. These transient bird populations, although not present in the region most of the time,
are an important component of the country’s biodiversity. The region is situated on major flyways
for birds migrating between breeding grounds in Europe and Asia and wintering quarters in
Africa. Large numbers of migrant birds land to seed, rest, and roost in the natural and man-made
habitats in the region. Sparrows, swallows, swifts, robins, doves, wheatears, martins, larks, owls,
eagles vultures, shrikes, and gulls are just examples of Egypt avifauna (Appendix 2)
15.4 Major threatening factors
Encroachments on the fragile resource base and ecological systems are reflected in habitat
damage, habitat loss, and pollution. Major factors threatening biodiversity in the project area are
the following:
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Mining, quarrying, and tourist development have destroyed an ever-increasing area in the
desert landscape. One extreme example is the ooletic ridge, used to extend hundreds of
kilometers along the coast, totally lost to quarrying and tourist villages;
Agricultural intrusions on natural habitats: clearing natural vegetations and shifting most
of the biodiversity-richest areas to crop production;
Introduction of exotic/ alien species, including genetically modified organisms could
probably have caused biodiversity degradation and environmental damage;
Animal encroachment: the ever increasing overgrazing is a widespread threat to
biodiversity in project area of meager winter rainfall that support a scant plant cover.
Excessive firewood gathering, which is estimated for project area at more than 25,000
tons of dry matter/year;
Solid waste disposal: building debris, municipal wastes, and domestic wastes especially
plastics are disposed off in the open, infesting desert habitat, and severely reducing the
natural and wilderness values of vast areas.
Use of heavy agricultural machinery and inadequate equipment, disturbing badly the soil
surface and structure and causing wind-induced erosion;
Unregulated use of off-road vehicles for recreation and hunting has degraded desert
wildlife, disturbed topsoil, incited erosion, and long-term scarring of the landscape.
Ecologically unsound infrastructure development: as potential environmental harms are
rarely considered in designing power lines, highways, tourist buildings, etc.
Pollution is relatively non significant on landscape due to scattered settlements, low
urbanization, and no use of chemicals in agriculture. It is much more occurring to the
marine environment by oil spills and waste disposal of ships and tourist villages.
Climatic factors: such as the low and erratic rainfall, stormy wind, and humidity and
temperature that may favor some species and disfavor others.
15.5 Threatened Biodiversity Species
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It is believed that a multitude of species has been totally vanished due to the complete damage of
their natural habitat, and many other species are in danger of extinction. Although this is true for a
considerable part of project area, but it applies, in particular, to the coastal zone from the seashore
to some 20-30 km inland, where most of the population lives and most developments have taken
place. However, more in-depth investigations based on field surveys and indigenous knowledge
of the Bedouins are needed to assess degradation and threatened species more precisely, in quality
and quantity.
Threatened plant species
Many evidences have indicated drastic losses in plant biodiversity, particularly of wild species in
natural habitats. Range specialists and consultants in MRMP could not observe in the field more
than roughly 250 species, out of more than 1070 referred to in literature. Most of those observed
are unfortunately threatened species, and it is only in cliffy habitats of difficult access to animals
a richness of these species can be found.
Some threatened range species are: Acacia radian; Artemisia judaica;Periploca anguistifolia;
Panicum tutgicum; Oryzopsis miliacea; Moricandia nitens; Rhamnus oleoides; Helianthemum
lippii; Gymenocarpos decantrus; Pituranthos tortusus; Stipa parviflora; Prasium majus; Salsola
vermiculata; Salsola oppositifolia; Dactylis hispanica; Salvia verbenaca; Plantago albicans;
Ephedra aphylla; Anabasis oropediorum; Globularia arabica; Lotus spp.; Phagnalon rupestre;
Artemisia spp.; Micromeria nervosa; Varthemia candicans; Atriplex glauca; Medicago spp.;
Trigonella spp.; Convolvulus oleifolius; Vicia spp.; Asparagus aphyllus; Pisum arvensis;
Some endangered medicinal and herbal species are the Chamomile Matricaria recutita, or
Matricaria chamomilia; Harmal Peganum harmal; El-Sheih Artemisia judaica; Anise Pimpinella
anisum; Sweet basil Ocimum basilicum; Marjoram Marjorana hortensis, or Origanum
marjorana; Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis; Thyme Thymus capitatus; and Sage Salvia
officinalis.
Threatened animal species
According to local Bedouins, most of the wildlife animals listed in Appendix 2 can be considered
as threatened species, especially the mammals and some valuable birds. Examples of the
threatened mammals are gazelles and antelopes Gazella dorcas dorcas, Gazella leptoceros
leptoceros; Oryx dammah; Addax nasomaculatus; foxes Vulpes vulpes aeyptiaca; Vulpes ruepelli
ruepelli; wild cat Felis chans nilotics; cougar Acinanyx jubatus; the wolf Canis aureus lupaster;
and the hyena Hyaene hyaene dubbah. Examples of rodents are wild rabbit Lepus capensis
rothschildi, hedgehog Hemicchinus auritus libycus, and several types of wild rats, moles, and
genera Jaculus.
Threatened bird species
Wildlife species of birds have been subjected to cruel, unregulated hunting for decades. Many
indigenous and migrant species can be considered as endangered. Examples of such birds are the
Egyptian vulture, the Egyptian black kite, eagle owl, little owl, white owl, eagles, desert lark,
crested lark, Calandra lark, the black bird, and many others.
16. Reasons for Proposed GEF Assistance
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MRMP components have been designed to facilitate sustainability in the NWC region.
Adequately manipulated agricultural development could be the key for saving biodiversity and
minimizing environmental damage. Agriculture and biodiversity are interlinked and interacted.
Biodiversity in both wild and managed habitats is a vital resource for crop, fodder, and livestock
improvement; and without improved agriculture, most of the remaining habitats for wildlife will
be destroyed to make room for farms, plantations, and ranches. Hence, the great challenge is how
to cope with this kind of development-biodiversity dilemma.
There are a number of constraints facing the proper sustainable conservation of these fragile
resources:
 Poverty and lack of economic and employment opportunities which are reflected in
increased pressures on the natural resource base;
 Inadequate cultural practices reflected in biodiversity degradation and soil erosion;
 Overgrazing of rangelands and lack of adequate grazing management reflected in loss of
some species, deterioration of ecosystems and epidemic spread out and dominance of a
few useless species such as thistles;
 Unsuitability of climatic conditions and extreme scarcity of water resources, severely
limiting crop diversity and reducing potentiality for introducing new germplasms; Lack
of local level expertise and awareness on proper biodiversity conservation and protected
areas management;
 Illegal hunting of wildlife animals (mammals, birds, and rodents);
Trends indicate that the pressure on environment and biodiversity would drastically be increased
in the proposed project area with future increase in population, urbanization and modernization,
and tourist industry. Higher rates of cropping intensity are targeted. More of marginal lands are
being brought into farming, and much more is expected in the future. More construction of tourist
villages is ongoing and more is planned for the future. The inevitable consequences, unless
effective measures taken, will certainly be more and more of biodiversity eradication and
environmental degradation.
The greatest challenge ahead of any developmental endeavor is how to cope with the
development-biodiversity dilemma. How to undertake development and conserve biodiversity
under an environment of unfavorable climate, scarcity of water and good soils, increased
population and urbanization, and increased genetic erosion and desertification. How can lost
biodiversity be retained, desertification halted, and the ecological balance maintained? How can
agricultural biodiversity and other natural resources be utilized for agricultural development in a
sustainable manner? These are only a part of the challenge.
Scientific investigations and indigenous knowledge are needed to meet the challenge of
intensifying agriculture in an environment-friendly manner, and to understand how the landscape
mosaic of cultural habitats could contribute to conservation of biodiversity. The strategic planning
developed by MRMP has recognized well this dilemma and the challenge it entails. It has
strongly emphasized the critically mutual interaction between development, agricultural
biodiversity, and environment. It has, particularly, recognized biodiversity as a valuable natural
resource that should be conserved and used in a balanced and sustainable manner. Hence,
developmental interventions of the project have reflected positive impacts on the environment
and biodiversity, and on the socioeconomic conditions of the Bedouin community.
To extend, institutionalize, and sustain the good impacts of the project, the GOE and the WB have
contemplated continuing the project through a “Follow up” phase. Guided by the objectives of
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strategic planning, major outcomes, and lessons learned from MRMP, a proposal for a new phase
was prepared accordingly. It has been learned from the first phase that to meet the challenge more
effectively, the development-biodiversity dilemma requires a better understanding, and many
interactions need to be assessed and quantified. Therefore, biodiversity and environmental issues
have been emphasized as one of the major components of MRMP II.
Expected outcome and indicators
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Institutionalization of the operational models, approaches, and practices for sustainable
resource development and conservation with strong community participation;
Substantial increases in productivity and production of crops, fodders, and livestock;
Effective biodiversity enhancement and environment conservation including broadening
genetic diversity in crop, range, and animal production by saving threatened species, and
introducing adaptable new species; and farming systems offering higher degree of longterm sustainability will be developed
Local scientific capacity, experience, and the capabilities of staff, resource users, and
institutions will be build up and upgraded in the areas of research, development,
conservation, and monitoring and evaluation of biodiversity;
Legal instruments and economic and social incentives that support conservation and
sustainable use of natural resources will be established.
Indicators
Direct indicators: are these of relevance to direct impact on biodiversity, carbon sequestration,
and the environment on general:
 Vegetative cover and land use measured in changes of crop area; area or number of trees;
range area reseeded; amount of carbon sequestered per unit area; and number or area of
shrubs planted for range improvement and/or for soil conservation, or intercropped on
barley plots.
 Quality of vegetative cover, measured by number of indigenous plant species (range,
medicinal, ornamental, etc) collected, conserved, multiplied, and area planted by these
species; and, the number of exogenous adaptable species, as well.
 Water conservation and use measured in numbers, volume, and area covered by cisterns,
reservoirs, and dikes.
Some indicators of the impact on biodiversity conservation and environmental protection that will
be emphasized are:
 % Change in rate of deforestation and desertification;
 % Change in preserved forestation areas and their ecosystem;
 % Change in richness, population, and status of keystone and endangered species;
 % Change in forest biomass and carbon sequestration;
 % Change in area under effective watershed management;
 % Adoption of national and international policies/conventions aimed at increasing
environmental protection
Indirect indicators: are these related to poverty alleviation and improved awareness that will be
reflected in enhancing biodiversity and improving the environment
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Communication within and between local communities, and participation in all R&D
interventions of the project, measured by number of meetings, visit exchange, and
community members participants in different activities;
Family income (on-farm and off-farm), measured by improved farming activities, crop,
fodder, and livestock productivity and income, establishment of new income-generating
projects, food preparation, agro-processing, handicrafts, and creating new employment
opportunities (agricultural and non-agricultural);
Adoption of cultural practices that protect the soil and conserve biodiversity, measured by
number of suitable machinery introduced, crop rotations ;
Illiteracy eradication, and various indicators of improved health, nutritional, and
environmental awareness, measured by number of participating men and women;
Use of household facilities that have positive consequences on biodiversity and the
environment, such as numbers of modernized ovens, manual water pumps, and methods
of home garbage and other wastes disposal, etc.
17. Proposed Activities
Major activities will include the following:
 In-depth investigation and assessment of the biodiversity conservation measures and
management including defining the problem more precisely in qualitative and
quantitative terms, and identifying participatory new measures for improvement. This
will be basically done through technical and socioeconomic field surveys, and auxiliary
long-term monitoring;
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Support augmenting the biodiversity and environmental dimension in current resource
conservation and development programs, and implement new programs aiming at
ensuring production sustainability and biodiversity conservation and enhancement;
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Enhance activities as related to direct improvement of the vast rangeland area and
biodiversity through planting perennials and annuals (local species, and exotic species of
tested-proven adaptability), and improved management of rangeland grazing and other
uses; implementation of the 9 sites already identified for reserving endangered species,
and identify and implement new sites at different agroclimatic zones of variable
ecological systems;
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Enlarge number of species already grown in the project’s Botanical Garden so as to
represent plant biodiversity in the project area, and establish new botanical gardens at
different sites representing the agroclimatic diversity in project area. And, complete the
already initiated program for reforestation of the 500 hectares, using the treated sewage
water of Marsa Matrouh city, and identify and plant other reforestation sites.
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Diversify income sources (agricultural and non-agricultural) through technical and
financial support to establishing small income-generating projects to help reducing the
pressure on the resource base. Emphasis will be given to rural women participation in
managing such projects as home-gardening, medicinal and herbal plant, raising new
species of poultry, beekeeping, and traditional handicrafts.
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Support adoption of environment-friendly technologies and practices on-farm, in-house,
in the open wilderness, and in the sea. Such on-farm technologies are cultural practices as
organic farming, IPM, adequate cultivation equipments that conserve the soil, and
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appropriate handling of farm residues and wastes. For in-house, is to support providing
rural women by modernized energy sources as alternatives to firewood cutting, and
improved sanitary facilities. For the open wilderness and the sea is to improve and control
grazing, hunting of migrated birds (especially the eagles and vultures) and other wildlife
as the desert gazelles, rabbits and reptiles, and support legalized fishing practices;
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Enhance activities as related to education, and improved awareness of nutrition, health,
sanitary and living conditions, biodiversity and environment;
Support the involvement of relevant NGOs at the national and international levels, and
the establishment of local NGOs, especially for rural women;
Training (in-house and overseas) and capacity building for project staff and beneficiaries
on concepts and methodological approaches to sustainable resource management,
biodiversity and environmental conservation and improvement.
18. Implementation Arrangements
The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR), Project Coordination Unit (PCU),
and donors will be responsible for the execution of the PDF-B grant. The PCU of MRMP has
built the necessary experience through the preparation work for the current MRMP, and the
implementation of internationally funded technical assistance component on several activities,
over the last eight years. PCU is also familiar with Bank procedures and operational guidelines. It
is further expected that MALR/PCU will be a responsible counterpart in the execution of the
PDF-B, and will coordinate with other relevant institutions and agencies. This would ensure
successful implementation during the short period remaining prior to the closure of current
MRMP on December 2001.
19. Stakeholder participation
The primary stakeholders of the proposed Phase II of MRMP are the local Bedouin communities,
including rural women and rural poor in its mandated area and other areas of similar
environments in Egypt and elsewhere; Departments and units of the project (Soil and Water,
Adaptive Research, Extension including Women in Development and Multi-media, Finance, and
Monitoring & Evaluation). Other stakeholders at the local level in Matrouh are the Agricultural
Directorate, Veterinary Directorate, local development agencies and projects; contractors, dealers,
and suppliers of inputs and nurseries; local banks; and NGOs. At the national level, food
consumers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the Egyptian Environmental
Affairs Authority (EEAA), and other ministries of relevance, ARC, DRC, and other research
institutes. At the international level, they are GEF, WB, IFAD and regional and international
research and/or development institutes and donor agencies; and the world of knowledge in
general.
Successful implementation of the diversified activities to achieve the ultimate goal of the project
would necessitate enhancement of the already adopted local community-based participatory
approaches to design, implement and monitor research and development activities. This requires
maintaining the trust between the government officials and the local tribal population, and
strengthening the linkages between the various components of the project, the local communities,
and the different national, regional, and international institutions of relevance.
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20.
Estimated Project Cost and Indicative Financing Plan
The estimated budget for the 5-year program is US$ 43 million of which the GEF’s
contribution will be US$5.0 million with the remainder coming from the IBRD loan, the
expected IFAD loan, the AFSED loan, and the GOE’s own budget contribution including
a share from the debt relief package agreed between the Government of Italy and Egypt.
The proposed financing plan is as follows:
World bank ( IBRD Loan)
IFAD
AFSED ( Arab Fund)
GEF
Government ( GOE)
TOTAL
21.
: US$ 15 million
: US$ 10 million
: US$ 10 million
: US$ 5 million
: US$ 3 million
: US$ 43 million
Description of PDF-B Activities and Timeframe
Preparation activities for the design of the large GEF project will go in parallel with an already
approved PHRD (Japanese) Grant to allow for the overall preparation of MRMPII, which will
allow for the utilization of some of the expertise under the above mentioned grant to complement
work done under the GEF component. The PDF-B will cover the assessments, field studies and
consultations required for the formulation of a comprehensive GEF Project Brief.
a) Baseline Biodiversity & Socio-economic surveys
The first category of surveys will allow to fill knowledge gaps concerning the status of flora and
fauna in the area, existing threats and root causes for these threats, assessment of current
agricultural practices, rangeland management activities and overall environmental conditions.
Socio-economic assessment will also be undertaken to verify the impacts of MRMP, and provide
detailed information on current and potential off-farm incomes, alternate land use practices, input
and output costs of production, poverty levels and living conditions.
b) Carbon Flux Assessment
Will include the review of similar applications in carbon sequestration in dryland areas, the
assessment of the potential for this region of Egypt, the effect of vegetation types, cropping
patterns, and alternate land use practices on the sequestration capacity. The formulation of a
methodology for the implementation of this component within the MRMP II project will be
undertaken based on existing information and field reviews. Activities to ensure replicability for
other similar regions in the world will also be designed and results will be disseminated to
relevant national and international institutions.
c) Incremental Cost Analysis
The benefits of the project can be divided into national and global benefits, many of which will
accrue long after the project has terminated. The project has a large level of baseline activities as
a result of the implementation of the MRMP over the past eight years, as well as other completed
and on-going activities by the GOE and other donors in the project area. The incremental cost
analysis will be undertaken to quantify the GEF share in terms of project outputs and costs based
on the global benefits achieved.
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d) Stakeholder Participation & Capacity Building
It is important to involve all relevant stakeholders in the assessment of existing problems,
alternative solutions and the overall design of the proposed project. Consultative meetings with
local and national-level stakeholders will be held to obtain their inputs concerning proposed
conservation measures, alternative livelihood options, and suggested policy level interventions,
and incorporate those views into the project. LFA workshops will be held to structure feedback
and results along a clear framework of objectives and outputs. Furthermore, training of personnel
will be provided at the national and local level, focusing on issues of biodiversity conservation,
carbon sequestration and other needed areas as identified by the project preparation team.
e) Formulation of Project Appraisal Document and GEF Project Brief
A project brief and document will be produced as a main output of the PDF preparatory phase,
including all background information, analysis of the options considered, total funding required
and partners involved and a complete framework of the objectives, outputs and activities of the
proposed project, and relevant annexes.
Timeframe
The project concept was approved by GEF for pipeline entry on 5 Feb. 2001. It is estimated that
the PDF-B phase will be conducted over a 12-month period, following approval of the PDF-B
resources:
Activity
Date
Approval of PDF-B Proposal
Project Identification Mission
Results of field surveys/ assessments
Project Preparation Mission
Project Pre-Appraisal Mission
Project Appraisal Mission
Submission to GEF Council
May 2001
May 2001
October 2001
October 2001
November 2001
March 2002
April 2002
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21. Estimated PDF-B Budget
The following is a breakdown of the activities, including cost estimates:
Activity
GEF
215,000
International/ Local consultants:
To undertake baseline surveys, home garden
biodiversity, range management planning,
environmental assessment and review, socioeconomic assessment, formulation of carbon
sequestration
methodology,
stakeholder
participatory planning, incremental cost analysis
and formulation of Project brief.
PHRD
344,000
GOE
50,000
16,400
Local/ National Meetings & Workshops: to be
held in project site and at National level to
ensure that all relevant stakeholders are fully
involved in the planning process.
25,000
Training:
Includes technical training of field level
extension workers, and population on revegetation, grazing management, carbon flux
measurement and analysis, and project-cycle
management
Operating Costs:
To
cover
the
expenses
related
to
communication, utilities, project assistant,
translation, office supplies and maintenance
20,000
Travel :
Local and international travel by experts to
project site, per diem expenses, rent of vehicles
and one study-visit to a similar on-going project
in Kazakhstan
30,000
TOTAL
300,000
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10,000
360,400
50,000