Libya’s National Development Agency (NDA) has announced the launch of a major strategic agricultural project in the municipality of Wadi Utba, aimed at strengthening food security and advancing sustainable agricultural development in desert regions.
In an official statement, the agency said the project will integrate and link the Barjuj, Tsaoua, and Maknousa agricultural schemes into a single, unified production system. The initiative will include nearly 1,000 central pivot irrigation circles, each covering 50 hectares, forming one of the largest coordinated agricultural developments in southern Libya. The project is scheduled to enter the operational phase during the 2027–2028 agricultural season.
According to the agency, the project is being implemented in line with directives from the General Command, with a focus on enhancing food security, expanding agricultural output, and promoting sustainable development, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas. The plan relies on the adoption of modern and advanced agricultural technologies suited to desert environments.
International Partnerships and Advanced Agricultural Technology
As part of preparations for the project, the Director General of the National Development Agency received a delegation from Farm Tech at the agency’s headquarters in Benghazi. Discussions focused on technical and operational cooperation, as well as mechanisms to benefit from the company’s expertise in integrated agricultural mechanisation, ensuring the project is implemented in accordance with approved operational standards.
The agency explained that Farm Tech serves as a local agent for several leading global manufacturers of agricultural equipment, including New Holland, the US-based agricultural machinery company founded in 1895 in Pennsylvania, and Valley Irrigation (Valmont Industries), a US firm specialising in central pivot irrigation systems.
Supporting Large-Scale Farming in Desert Environments
The statement highlighted that these international companies possess extensive experience in executing and supporting large-scale agricultural projects worldwide, particularly in regions facing climatic challenges similar to those of the Libyan desert. Their involvement is expected to enhance production efficiency, ensure long-term sustainability, and contribute to Libya’s broader development goals.
The Wadi Utba project reflects Libya’s growing focus on revitalising the agricultural sector as a strategic pillar for economic diversification and food self-sufficiency, amid ongoing efforts to develop infrastructure and productive industries across the country.
