Case Studies & Stories

Empowering women farmers through sustainable cotton training

Better farming practices improved income and soil health
For many years, Nazek Attia managed her farm in Samul Village, Egypt, while balancing the demands of household responsibilities and agricultural work. Like many women farmers, access to training opportunities and technical guidance was limited, making it difficult to stay informed about sustainable farming methods or changing agricultural practices.
As input use increased, so did concerns around soil condition, production costs, and unsafe pesticide handling practices. Through the REEL Programme, Nazek gained access to hands-on training, field demonstrations, and personalised support that helped her strengthen both her farming knowledge and confidence.

The challenge

Before joining the programme, Nazek relied heavily on fertilisers and conventional farming practices to maintain crop performance. Limited access to technical advice often meant decisions were based on informal recommendations, leading to excessive input use and rising costs.

Unsafe disposal of pesticide containers and crop waste also created environmental and health concerns on the farm. Managing both farming and household responsibilities left little time to attend training sessions or seek additional support. As a result, adopting new techniques or accessing reliable agricultural information was often difficult.

Over time, these challenges began affecting both farm productivity and soil health, while limiting opportunities to improve long-term sustainability.

The approach

Through the REEL Programme, Nazek participated in practical training sessions focused on sustainable cotton production and safer farm management practices. The programme introduced her to:

Compost preparation and application
Improved irrigation techniques
Identifying nutrient deficiencies in crops
Safe pesticide handling and disposal
Repurposing cotton stalks and farm waste

Interactive demonstrations and one-to-one mentoring helped her apply these methods directly within her own farming system. Rather than depending solely on higher chemical inputs, the focus shifted toward improving soil condition, managing resources more efficiently, and creating safer practices both for the farm and the surrounding environment.

Improved crop quality and income

By improving nutrient management and soil care practices, Nazek observed better cotton quality and stronger overall farm performance, contributing to increased income from her harvests. More efficient use of farm inputs also helped reduce unnecessary waste and improve day-to-day farm management. The shift toward regenerative methods also reduced dependence on external agricultural inputs, giving him greater control over farm management decisions.

Healthier soil and safer practices

The introduction of composting and improved crop residue management supported healthier soil conditions and reduced the environmental impact of farming activities. At the same time, safer pesticide handling and disposal practices created a healthier and more secure working environment on the farm.

Empowering women in farming communities

Perhaps most importantly, the programme gave Nazek greater confidence in her role as a farmer and decision-maker. As she began applying new techniques successfully, other women in the community became increasingly interested in participating in similar training opportunities, helping encourage wider engagement among women farmers in the region.

“I am very satisfied with the information and extension services I received.”

Nazek Attia, Cotton Farmer, Egypt

Looking ahead

Nazek’s journey highlights the importance of ensuring farmers have access to practical knowledge, tailored support, and opportunities to build confidence in sustainable farming methods.

As more women farmers gain access to training and agricultural resources, they are playing an increasingly important role in strengthening rural livelihoods, improving environmental practices, and supporting more sustainable cotton production within their communities.