Growing radish in the Egyptian desert for the EU and CEE markets Egypt has a fast growing horticultural export sector for supply to European markets (both EU and CEE markets). To expand its share in the global market, Egypt needs to diversify the product range and assure highest quality and year round supply. Radish is a crop that is hardly known in Egypt and commercial production offers opportunities for both the export and domestic market. This project primarily targets the export market.The project will start GlobalGAP certified conventional cultivation of 10 ha of radish under irrigation, as well as the construction and operation of a modern HACCP certified processing/packing house, and the distribution to EU/CEE markets and possibly Gulf States. During the project a feasibility study will be carried out to comply with SKAL directives for organic production, which is the ultimate goal of the partners. At the end of the pilot, production will be 1,400 tonnes of packed radish.Applicant Zwin Brothers B.V. (1983) from Monster is a grower, importer and retail-packer of radish for the EU/CEE markets. Local partner is Al Ahram Co for Cultivation & Land Reclamation Ltd (1981) from Egypt. Partners will establish a joint venture.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)Although a formalised CSR policy document for the partners was not submitted or mentioned in the application, it appeared during verification, that both companies have "informally" incorporated many CSR related issues into their day-to-day business activities. This applies e.g. to workers' conditions, environ-mental sound practices and community relations, and is also reflected by the various certificates both companies have (e.g. HACCP/BRC, GlobalGAP).The joint venture will work accordingly and a more formal CSR policy document will be added as one of the project's sub-results.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsDuring the project 14 people will be employed (19 after 2 year follow-up) which reflects the rather capital intensive (mechanised) character of the investment. To a large extent, the high level of mechanisation is common to international practice of radish cultivation and packing, and the demands for high quality, safe end-product without skin-damage. Although relatively low in number, all employees are skilled labourers and within the Egyptian context (horticultural sector), should be classified as medium/high. All are involved in operation of equipment/machinery and will receive training accordingly.Al Ahram's employees are well paid (much higher than elsewhere in the sector for comparable positions) and provided with many secondary benefits, incl. medical insurance and a pension scheme. The vast majority of staff has already been with the company for 15 or more years. This reflects the company's staff policy to invest in human resources and give attractive remuneration packages as an incentive for workers' performance and loyalty. The joint venture staff will have the same package and will work in a safe and clean environment.•	Innovation/Transfer of knowledgeThe project is innovative as in Egypt radish is not grown and marketed on a commercial basis, neither for the local nor export market. Transfer of know-how and technology is high. The project will contribute to diversification of the horticultural sector in Egypt and will put Egypt on the map as an international player in this market segment.All training and other transfer of know-how regarding the cultivation of radish, packing technology and operation of international markets (for radish), is new to the country.•	Chain effectsThe project is expected to have a positive impact on the chain or sector as it will allow for diversification. Radish is a new crop and if successful in penetrating the international market, other growers will follow. The project will also give income to suppliers of farm inputs, packaging materials and spare parts.With a modernizing retail sector and changing consumer habits, radish may also very well find a promising domestic market.•	EnvironmentThe environmental aspects in this project are related to cultivation practices and use of water resources for irrigation.As for irrigation, each and every borehole requires a permit from the Egyptian Ministry of Water and is subject to an EIA carried out by the same Ministry according to Egyptian legal provisions. The actual use of water for irrigation (and pesticides), will be optimised through Application of the Dutch "Dacom" system. A high-tech satellite connected monitoring system with sensors and weather stations to monitor plant requirements on a daily basis. This system is already in use by Al Ahram for other crops.Production will be GlobalGAP certified which means reduction of pesticides. During the project partners will carry out a feasibility study for organic cultivation under SKAL directives. If feasible, production in the follow-up phase will shift towards organic.In 5 to 10 years from now, the project is expected to use Nile water (instead of ground water), as the area is to be connected to a multimillion USD World Bank project, to build canals from the Nile to the desert west of the Delta.•	Position of womenThe joint venture will be an equal opportunity employer. Female employment is expected to be at least 50% of the staff employed. To introduce commercial radish growing and packaging in Egypt for sales in export markets with a production of 1,400 tonnes at the end of the project.