Zaki Muhammad Abd el-Rahman

A pioneering Egyptian agricultural scientist who revolutionized desert farming through innovative irrigation techniques and crop development.

Zaki Muhammad Abd el-Rahman (1902–1975) was a visionary Egyptian agricultural scientist whose work transformed desert agriculture in the mid-20th century. Born in rural Upper Egypt, he witnessed firsthand the challenges of arid farming and dedicated his life to solving them. After studying agronomy in Paris and Berlin, he returned to Egypt in 1928 to establish the first experimental farm in the Western Desert. His breakthrough came with the development of localized irrigation systems, which conserved water while boosting crop yields. He also pioneered the cultivation of drought-resistant crops like barley and sorghum, which became staples in desert regions.

Abd el-Rahman's methods were adopted across North Africa and the Middle East, enabling nations like Libya and Algeria to achieve food self-sufficiency. His 1947 book 《Localized Irrigation Systems in Desert Agriculture》 remains a foundational text. He also founded the Desert Research Institute in Cairo, training generations of agronomists. His legacy is evident in modern desert farming practices worldwide, earning him the 1968 UN Food and Agriculture Award.