Sharqia Raises Readiness for Rice Harvest and to Counter the Black Cloud

Sharqia governorate is raising its readiness for the rice harvest while preparing an early campaign against the open burning of agricultural waste, a practice linked to the seasonal “black cloud.” Governor Hazem El-Ashmouny ordered coordination among environmental, agricultural and local authorities to ensure safer disposal.

Officials will designate collection areas away from main roads and residential clusters. They are urging farmers to transport rice straw, corn stalks and other waste to approved sites instead of burning it, both to avoid legal penalties and to make economic use of the material.

The governorate has prepared plans to open 200 agricultural-waste collection sites across Sharqia. Authorities have received 50 applications so far and are reviewing them under environmental requirements. Operators must submit plans covering the type and volume of waste and explain how it will be prepared for transport, including through shredding or baling.

The environmental authority has also formed an emergency room at its regional branch to monitor the collection and transport system and respond quickly to reports or violations. A total of 227 machines, including balers, tractors, trailers and shredders, will be made available to farmers through mechanization stations in Abu Hammad, Hehya, Diarb Negm and Kafr Saqr. The equipment belongs to the Environment Ministry and will be rented at nominal rates.

Officials have conducted 45 awareness activities for farmers, covering safe waste handling, possible economic uses and the environmental and legal risks of open burning. The plan aims to reduce air-pollution sources during the harvest and turn agricultural waste from an environmental burden into a usable resource.