DRC

The Desert Research Center (DRC) is one of Egypt’s oldest research institutions. Officially opened in 1950, it was established as the Desert Institute and became the Desert Research Center under a 1990 presidential decree. Its mission is to explore and study Egypt’s desert resources and support their sustainable development, while helping preserve and improve the livelihoods of Bedouin communities.

The center conducts research across water and desert lands, dryland agriculture and environments, animal and poultry production, and socioeconomic studies. Its work and services include soil and water analysis, groundwater exploration and well drilling, water desalination research, land reclamation, agricultural greenhouses, tissue culture, and remote sensing and geographic information systems. It also offers specialist training in agriculture and animal production under arid and semi-arid conditions.

The DRC operates research stations across Egypt, including in the North Coast, Sinai, and southern regions, and supports initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, valley development, and combating desertification. Its laboratories cover areas including biotechnology, microbiology, and pest and disease diagnosis.