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It is within the province the shortest Both tourism and agriculture in the south of the country produce 80% of exports tomatoes dried, planted on an area of over 500 acres, and the rest is distributed in the governorates of Qena, Aswan and Fayoum.
Exports are directed to the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Brazil and other countries, and have become a source of increased income for thousands of workers, so much so that they are referred to by local media as "red gold".
Here in Luxor, temperatures exceed 45 degrees in summer, and gradually decrease in winter. It is one of the most famous tomato-growing governorates, whose winter sowing season began in September, and has been exported as dried for several years; Becoming one of the most famous places in the world in this field, having previously gained fame in the cultivation of sugar cane and in the sugar industry.
Stages of drying tomatoes
The phases of tomato processing are explained by Eng. Bahaa Ismail, Chairman of the Board of Directors of one of the companies working on the project, stating: "The process begins with bringing the fruits of the tomatoes after harvesting from the center of Esna to the center of Gourna, washing and cutting them well, then salting them".
then "The workers stack them on special above ground sawmills to enter the drying process in the sun for a period of 8-10 days in the winter, while in the summer the period is reduced to 4-5 days"According to Ismail.
But are all tomatoes suitable for this drying process?
He replies that tomatoes suitable for this process have particular specifications, such as being robust and resistant to the work of processing, cutting and salting.
"season of happiness"
As for the work system, it is in agreement with the farmers of the region who take care of the cultivation process from the launch of the seeds to the harvest, and consider the season of sowing and harvesting the tomatoes. "season of happiness"; As a result of the returns generated by this fruit on their homes.
Among the workers, Atiyat Abdo, who works with a daily wage, dries tomatoes inside the center of Qurna, from eight in the morning in the first phase of the work, and at the end of the day he takes his pay, stressing that he is a source livelihood for many women and girls who also worked to help their families.
Tomatoes are known in Egypt as "crazy" Because their prices fluctuate from day to day, up and down, influenced by the different weather throughout the year, or by how much is planted.
agricultural seasons
The drying of tomatoes is not linked to a specific period, but extends throughout the year, divided into a winter season from December to April, and a summer season from June to September, explains engineer Mohamed Hashem. production manager of one of the projects.
Although the number of days of tomato drying increases in the winter season, it is the best for obtaining a high quality production; Therefore, the Luxor Governorate was chosen for drying only in winter.
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It is within the province the shortest Both tourism and agriculture in the south of the country produce 80% of exports tomatoes dried, planted on an area of over 500 acres, and the rest is distributed in the governorates of Qena, Aswan and Fayoum.
Exports are heading to the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Brazil and other countries and have become a source of increased income for thousands of workers, so much so that they are called “red gold” by local media.
Here in Luxor, temperatures exceed 45 degrees in summer, and gradually decrease in winter. It is one of the most famous tomato-growing governorates, whose winter sowing season began in September, and has been exported as dried for several years; To become one of the most famous places in the world in this field, having previously gained fame in the cultivation of sugar cane and in the sugar industry.
Stages of drying tomatoes
The stages of tomato processing are explained by engineer Bahaa Ismail, chairman of the board of directors of one of the companies working on the project, stating: “The process begins with bringing the tomatoes after harvest from the Esna center to the Al-Gourna center. , washing and chopping them well, and then salting them ».
After that, “the workers stack them on special saws above the ground, to enter the drying process under the sun’s rays for a period of 8-10 days in the winter, while in the summer the period decreases between 4-5 days”. according to Ismail.
But are all tomatoes suitable for this drying process?
He replies that tomatoes suitable for this process have particular specifications, such as being robust and resistant to the work of processing, cutting and salting.
“Season of happiness”
As for the work system, it has an agreement with the farmers of the region who take care of the cultivation process from the launch of the seeds to the harvest, and consider the season of sowing and harvesting tomatoes a “season of happiness”; As a result of the returns generated by this fruit on their homes.
Among the workers, Atiyat Abdo, who works with a daily wage, dries tomatoes inside the center of Qurna, from eight in the morning in the first phase of the work, and at the end of the day he takes his pay, stressing that he is a source livelihood for many women and girls who also worked to help their families.
Tomatoes are known in Egypt as “crazy” because their prices fluctuate from day to day, up and down, influenced by the different climate throughout the year, or by the amount of plantation.
agricultural seasons
The drying of tomatoes is not linked to a specific period, but extends throughout the year, divided into a winter season from December to April, and a summer season from June to September, explains engineer Mohamed Hashem. production manager of one of the projects.
Although the number of days of tomato drying increases in the winter season, it is the best for obtaining a high quality production; Therefore, the Luxor Governorate was chosen for drying only in winter.
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