An online meeting was held with the participation of both the Egyptian and Japanese teams.
Dr. Erina Iwasaki provided an overview of the project’s objectives to understand oasis farmers’ behavior and water management practices. This was followed by detailed presentations from Dr. Naoko Fukami and Dr. Mahmoud Zakariya on the focus group meetings conducted in April and May across four villages: Rashida, Qalamun, Mushia, and Budkhulu.
Dr. Fukami highlighted common problems such as irrigation issues, water management challenges, government regulations, water shortages, and agricultural technology. She also noted village-specific concerns, including drainage problems in Mushia, soil and disease issues in Ain Qada, and limited knowledge in Hendaw.
Dr. Zakariya emphasized farmer perceptions regarding water resources, traditional beliefs about groundwater sustainability, and the role of elders in community decision-making.
Mr. Wafi, Mr. Mahfouz Z. Ahmed, and Dr. Adel Shalaby commented on the findings, noting that farmers expressed different attitudes toward government-controlled versus private lands, and that financial constraints were often more significant than technical problems.