Egyptian Farmers Find Profit and Water Efficiency in Pelkum Crop

Pelkum farming offers Egyptian farmers a profitable, water-efficient crop option amid rising agricultural challenges
Picture of Sohad Elkhodary

Sohad Elkhodary

In recent years, agricultural sector problems have increased, such as the rising costs of fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds, which has raised production costs. Additionally, farmers’ and their families’ incomes have decreased due to sales fluctuations and government regulations on the cultivation of certain crops under the pretext of water scarcity. In 2018, the government issued a decision to reduce the cultivation areas of bananas, flax, sugarcane, and rice, which consume large amounts of water. This restriction is particularly significant amid the growing Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis, which poses a threat to Egypt’s water security, and climate changes that have led to crop losses due to unprecedented temperature increases. These factors have forced farmers to resort to alternative, fast-growing, and highly profitable crops, including pelkum.

According to the General Information Authority, the number of people working in agriculture in Egypt reached about 5.2 million in 2021, representing 19.2% of the total workforce. According to a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization, the number of workers in agriculture and fishing in the second quarter of 2024 reached 5.7 million, making up 19.3% of the total workforce. The sector’s contribution to GDP reached 14.8% in 2019/2020, totaling EGP 669.8 billion compared to EGP 278.5 billion in 2014/2015.

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Pelkum, also known as banko, is one of Egypt’s relatively new agricultural crops, first introduced in 2019, after Egypt used to rely on imports from countries like Australia and India. Pelkum is mainly used as bird feed for species such as parrots and other birds, competing with other feeds like millet and sunflower seeds. Pelkum is characterized by its short growth period, ranging from 70 to 75 days, making it a suitable option for farmers looking for quick-growing and profitable crops.

In addition, pelkum has relatively low production costs and can yield profits of up to 200%, although it previously reached 500%. The crop is grown in areas such as Giza, Beni Suef, and Fayoum, requiring specific agricultural conditions, including sandy and clay soils, and it tolerates moderate salinity. Additionally, pelkum is considered a strategic option amid the water shortage crisis, as it requires less water and fertilizer than other crops, making it suitable for land usually left fallow between summer and winter crops. The market price for pelkum ranges from EGP 35 to EGP 50 per kilogram.

Hussein Abdelrahman Abu Saddam, President of the Farmers’ Union, says that pelkum cultivation is concentrated in Giza, Beni Suef, and Fayoum. He describes it as a plant similar to wheat in its cultivation and harvesting methods but requires much less time. He points out the increased economic return of banko compared to other summer crops, as farmers have recently started seeking new, more profitable, and lower-cost crops.

Profitable Crop

Mohamed El-Badawi (aged 31) began cultivating pelkum in 2019 on his land in Luxor, Upper Egypt. He regularly cultivates ten acres annually and classifies pelkum as one of the profitable crops for Egyptian farmers, though its pricing is ultimately controlled by traders.

His activities are not limited to farming; he also markets and sells pelkum seeds to farmers across various provinces. He tells Zawia3, “An acre yields between 900 to 1,150 kilograms when cultivated under engineering supervision and regular follow-up, yielding profits of up to 200%.”

El-Badawi notes the drop in pelkum’s market price from EGP 70,000 to EGP 30,000 between 2022 and 2024 due to the economic crisis, which led some bird breeders to reduce breeding or switch to cheaper alternatives like millet, negatively affecting pelkum’s productivity this year and reducing its market price. Millet is rich in minerals and important for blood and feather formation in birds, often mixed with other grains like pelkum to satisfy birds.

According to El-Badawi, the price per ton of pelkum on his farm fell from EGP 45,000 to EGP 30,000 between 2023 and 2024 due to rising fertilizer costs. Fertilizer prices ranged from EGP 500 to EGP 650 per bag in 2023, but this year they increased to EGP 950 to EGP 1,200. Meanwhile, some farmers were able to obtain fertilizer from the Ministry of Agriculture at no more than EGP 300 per bag. The price of lab seeds ranged from EGP 100 to EGP 120 in 2023, rising to EGP 120 to EGP 150 this year.

El-Badawi reveals that the ministry did not supply farmers with sufficient fertilizer this year. An acre of pelkum requires three fertilizer bags, leading to a reduction in the cultivated area this year by about 30-40%, according to his estimate. The cost of cultivating an acre is estimated at EGP 12,000, including land rental.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, fertilizer production is a strategic industry. In 2023, Egypt’s total production of fertilizers reached nearly eight million tons of nitrogen fertilizers and four million tons of phosphate fertilizers. Egypt ranks seventh globally in urea production, while fertilizers are the second-largest Egyptian export sector, valued at $3.4 billion. Chemical industry exports totaled about $4 billion in the first half of 2024, representing 20% of Egypt’s non-oil exports, according to the Export Council for Chemical Industries and Fertilizers.

Water and Fertilizer Savings

Dr. Mohamed Fahim, Head of the Climate Information Center at the Ministry of Agriculture and advisor to the minister, tells Zawia3 that pelkum is a short-lived crop from the grass family, with a growing period of 70 to 80 days. It is a summer crop that tolerates light to moderate salinity levels and relatively high temperatures.

The advisor explains that pelkum is a beneficial crop for farmers as it requires minimal water and fertilizer, needing only about 50 kilograms of nitrogen fertilizer once, due to its short life cycle.

Fahim notes that there is no census of the cultivated area of pelkum nationwide; however, it does not exceed a few hundred acres. An acre requires 15 kilograms of seeds and is cultivated early in small fields, similar to wheat, at the end of June and July, making it non-competitive with strategic crops like corn, soybeans, or oilseeds, as it is grown during off-season periods without affecting other crops and is harvested before winter planting.

According to the annual agricultural income estimates report for 2020/2021 from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, total spending on seeds and seedlings increased from EGP 7.483 billion in 2016/2017 to EGP 18.123 billion in 2020/2021. Agricultural input costs represent 40.2% of the total agricultural production value in 2020/2021, amounting to EGP 297.8 billion compared to EGP 230.8 billion in 2019/2020, an increase of 29%. The value of field crop seeds, of which pelkum is one, amounted to EGP 94.093 billion.

Domestic Market Coverage

Dr. Fahim says pelkum can withstand soil salinity levels up to 1600 ppm (parts per million) and requires only five irrigations, making it water-efficient. He notes that Egypt’s production is directed to the local market, with acre yields ranging from 650 to 1,000 kilograms.

He also points out that farmers do not need to use pesticides, as pelkum is less prone to pests and diseases than other crops. Addressing farmers’ concerns, he adds, “Some farmers struggle to market their produce.”

Pelkum cultivation has economic significance for both the government and farmers. Instead of leaving land fallow between seasons, pelkum can be grown at a low cost, yielding high profits for farmers with minimal expenses. It helps cover local consumption needs, reducing import costs and potentially enabling export expansion if cultivated more widely. During times of increased demand, pelkum prices can exceed EGP 80,000 per ton. The crop can be cultivated in both sandy and clay soils without the pest issues other crops face.

Sohad Elkhodary
An Egyptian journalist who has worked for several Egyptian newspapers and Arab websites, focusing on investigations and human-interest stories.

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