Agriculture
From The Report: Egypt 2019
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Egypt’s natural competitive advantages should allow its agriculture sector to strengthen as the economy recovers over the near term, and recent government policy has allowed for an increase in the recommended sale prices for several crops, helping sustain the livelihoods of millions of Egyptians that depend on farming. Furthermore, the establishment of clearer quality standards is already helping to drive exports to new markets in Asia. Ongoing strategies that safeguard diminishing water resources and farmland should enhance the sector’s development, while further integration of distribution channels could assist small-scale farmers in accessing export markets. Coordination between agriculture production and processing capacity also has the potential to boost revenues. This chapter contains an interview with Alaa Diab, CEO, Agriculture Group – PICO.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Seed capital: Rising exports and targeted government policies are helping spur growth and productivity
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Supported by rich natural conditions along the Nile, which are able to host a variety of valuable crops, agriculture has long been a critical sector for Egypt’s economy. Output comprises fruits, vegetables, cereals, cotton, and sugar, as well as livestock, and is a critical element for both domestic consumption and exports. However, production is threatened by growing pressures, including a fast-growing population and the effects of climate change, both of which are leading to water shortages. Urban…

Analysis

Protecting the land: The state seeks to provide a safety net for sustainable growth
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With agriculture accounting for a large part of the earnings of many families, ensuring livelihoods are not jeopardised by bad harvests has become increasingly important as the population expands. An important step towards accelerating the development of better agricultural support policies was taken in June 2018, with the approval of a new insurance scheme for Egypt’s agricultural crops by the country’s Financial Regulatory Authority. In another positive move, the Insurance Federation…

Interview

Growing food: Alaa Diab, CEO, Agriculture Group – PICO, on efforts to optimise supply chains and rationalise water use
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Interview:Alaa Diab How can Egypt’s agriculture sector be made more attractive to foreign investment? ALAA DIAB: Agriculture is one of the most important sectors for business and economic growth in Egypt. Its significant potential stems from the country’s geographic location between Africa, Europe and the Middle East, as well as a favourable climate, good soil quality and abundant manpower. Egypt needs to bank on these resources in order to attract investment. As trade agreements come…

Overview

Making every drop count: Governments and the private sector tackle water scarcity through resilience-focused policies, innovative technology and investments in infrastructure
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Global food demand is expected to increase from anywhere between 59% to 98% by 2050. However, global freshwater resources are already overstretched due to climate change and soaring population growth, and it is unclear how agricultural production will keep up with these challenges. In recent years climate-induced water shortages in urban areas have brought water scarcity to the forefront of public debate as major cities such as São Paulo, Cape Town, Barcelona and others have found themselves on the brink of major water crises. In response, policymakers have started to scrutinise and reform existing agricultural practices, which on average…