The sound of silence
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In the arid Kharga Oasis of Egypt’s New Valley Governorate, date palm cultivation is a vital livelihood, but rising pest pressure and water scarcity threaten its sustainability. When Khaled, a local date palm grower with hearing and speech impairments, learned about FAO Egypt’s Farmer Field Schools (FFS) being implemented nearby, he was eager to learn better ways to protect his farm. However, he and others with hearing and speech impairments wondered how they could participate fully. With Khaled’s initiative and the support of his wife Nehmedo, FAO specialist Ahmed Diab, FFS facilitator Ahmed Abady and the overall guidance of project manager Ashraf Elsadek, a special FFS group was established for 15 producers with hearing and speech impairment, which members called “Sound of Silence FFS”. Communication was supported through sign language, visual tools, and peer facilitation. The result is a locally-adapted, inclusive learning environment that has allowed a marginalized group to co-learn sustainable practices, build confidence, and improve their livelihoods. This adaptation demonstrates the flexibility of the FFS approach to meet the needs of diverse participants, while strengthening climate resilience and social inclusion.