Hassan Fahmy

Revolutionized Egyptian agriculture through soil conservation techniques

Hassan Fahmy (1912-1978) was an Egyptian agronomist whose innovations transformed desert farming. Working in the Nile Delta during the 1940s, he discovered that traditional irrigation methods were depleting soil fertility. His 1948 paper Water-Wise Agriculture proposed revolutionary techniques like contour plowing and mulching that increased crop yields by 40% while reducing water use.

In 1955, he established the Nile Valley Soil Institute, training thousands of farmers in sustainable practices. His development of drought-resistant wheat strains during the 1967 famine prevented widespread starvation. The FAO later adopted his Fahmy Method of soil regeneration, which is still used in arid regions globally.

Despite his contributions, Hassan remained a humble figure compared to Egypt's political leaders. His memoir Roots in the Sand (1972) details his struggles against government bureaucracy. Modern precision agriculture systems still incorporate his principles, as seen in Texas A&M AgriLife's research programs.