Sharqia Turns to Rice Straw Recycling to Curb ‘Black Cloud’

Egypt’s Sharqia governorate is tackling the open burning of agricultural waste as the rice harvest begins, with an integrated plan to reduce the seasonal pollution known as the “black cloud.”

The approach focuses on recycling rice straw rather than burning it, seeking to turn harvest residues into a useful resource while limiting smoke from fields.

Rice harvesting leaves behind straw that can contribute to air pollution when disposed of through open burning. Sharqia’s plan aims to address that problem while making better use of agricultural byproducts.

The initiative links pollution reduction with the productive use of farm waste, placing rice straw recovery at the centre of the governorate’s response to the harvest-season challenge.