Water harvesting and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for improved livelihood and increased and sustained production in Matrouh rain-fed agricultural areas

The purpose of this brochure is to introduce the Project’s work and its expected outputs. The brochure raises awareness on what FAO is doing with EU’s support to improve the livelihood of the rural poor and enhance the development of rain-fed areas in Marsa Matrouh being one of the important border governorates in Egypt. This brochure introduces the Project’s work and its expected outputs. It highlights the rationale for implementing the Project, its objectives, target groups, and main activities. The brochure raises awareness on what FAO is doing with EU’s support to improve the livelihood of the rural poor and enhance the development of rain-fed areas in Marsa Matrouh as one of the important border governorates in Egypt.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for sustainable improvement of quality and quantity of horticultural production of small-scale farmers in Fayoum

The purpose of this brochure is to briefly introduce the Project and inform stakeholders and related entities about the Project's work and its expected outputs. It also aims at raising awareness on what FAO is doing with EU's support to enhance small-scale farmers. This brochure introduces the Project's work and its expected outputs. It highlights the rationale for implementing the Project, its objectives, tareget groups, and main activities. The brochure raises awareness on what FAO is doing with EU's support to enhance small-scale farmers in Fayoum as one of the poorest governorates in Egypt.

Support sustainable water management and irrigation modernization for newly reclaimed areas

This flyer introduces the project on "Support sustainable water management and irrigation modernization for newly reclaimed areas", its purpose and activities. It will be distributed in workshops, meetings, conferences, etc. Hence, the general public including media would be able to know about the project and will become interested in its activities.

The State of Egypt’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture

The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture prepared guidelines to assist countries in the preparation of their reports. National Focal Points nominated by the relevant national authorities coordinated the preparation of the reports in their respective countries. The assignment of countries to regions for the purposes of The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture followed the regional groupings used in FAO statistics and for election purposes.

FAO - Egypt Country Programming Framework 2018-2022

The flyer about FAO's Country Programming Framework in Egypt aims at giving a summarized brief about the priority programming areas for Egypt that FAO will focus on during the period from 2018-2022; the amount of funds required to implement these programmes; and the expected outputs of each programme area.

Enhancing the Agricultural Cooperatives System in Egypt

Agriculture cooperatives (ACs) in Egypt were established at the beginning of the 20th century as “agricultural cooperative syndicates”. Farmers were brought together to facilitate access to agricultural inputs, improve production and contribute to rural development. However, ACs have faced a series of constraints, as well as knowledge gaps, in all cooperative units, resulting in a decline in their reputation and performance. In this context, the Government of Egypt (GoE) amended the law governing ACs (Law 204/2014) which, for the first time, allowed ACs to create shareholding companies and carry out profit-seeking projects.

Egypt and FAO
Partnering for Sustainable Food Security and Water Management Optimization

The FAO Representation to the Arab Republic of Egypt opened in 1978. Over the past years, the Organization has participated in a large range of agricultural and rural development activities targeting Egypt’s specific needs. FAO’s support includes strategy, policy and institutional development, promotion of good agricultural practices and South-South Cooperation. The Organization has also taken the lead in supporting investments agriculture.

Food loss and waste in Egypt

Food loss and waste represents a waste of resources used to produce and distribute food, such as land, water, energy and plants. It also has a serious footprint on the natural resources available in Egypt. Food loss and waste is present in Egypt in all the value chains. In the fact sheet, we will be speaking more on food loss and waste in general and specificially in Egypt through specific value chain projects.

Food Loss and Waste and Food Value Chains
Teaching Guide

Food Loss and Waste and Food Value Chains - Teaching Guide is a guide designed for teachers in secondary schools with the objective of raising awareness to students on the topics of food value chains, food loss and waste, and nutrition. This is one of two books, the other is dedicated to students which consists a simplified version of this guide. This guide helps the teachers in delivering the three topics using interesting facts, fun discussions and a variety of activities.

Atlas of date palm in Egypt

The Date Palm is one of earliest crops planted in the ancient world. It is the main source of livelihood for Egyptian farmers and their families. Besides being a source of food and animal fodder and used in trading, it is also utilised in housing construction, furniture manufacturing, home accessories and other personal needs. Date Palms are considered a national wealth, given their economic, social and nutritional and health benefits. Therefore, they must be maintained, conserved and developed since their cultivation contributes to the national domestic income by more than three billion pounds a year.

FAO Investment Centre. Country Highlights. Egypt: Review of the agrifood cooperative sector
Report No. 36 – May 2019

The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding of how cooperatives can contribute to the development of the agricultural sector and rural areas in Egypt and outline enabling policy changes and areas of investment. The primary audience is policy decision-makers, development partners and potential institutional investors in the agricultural sector in Egypt.

Food loss and waste and value chains
Learning guide

Food Loss and Waste and Food Value Chains - Learning Guide is a guide designed for students (aged 12-15) in secondary schools with the objective of raising awareness on the topics of food value chains, food loss and waste, and nutrition. This is one of two books, the other is dedicated to teachers. This guide helps the students in linking the three topics learned with the activities and content in the guide.

Say NO to food waste!
A guide to reduce household food waste - Trainers guide

Food waste is a critical issue in any household. The main objective of this guide is to support women (rural pioneers, organizations or housewives) in understanding what is needed to be done in order to reduce food waste at home. This is seen through proper storage methods for each food category, how to reuse leftovers seen through numerous recipes, the proper food portion, and understanding date labels. This guide has also included a section on how to propely care for household livestock and poultry, and two additional sections, one discussing nutrition and the healthy eating plate and another discussing food processing at home and some recipes for different products.

Nutrition

This poster is part of a series of posters under the awareness raising activity for schools. It discusses two main topics under nutririon: the five main food groups, and the components of a healthy eating plate.

Food Value Chains

This poster is part of a series of posters under the awareness raising activity for schools. It discusses where food comes from and illustrates a food value chain. It also introduces the word: resources and examples of resources used within the value chain.

Food Loss and Waste

This poster is part of a series of posters dedicated to students in schools on the topic of food loss and waste in the NENA region.

Food loss analysis - Tomato value chain in Egypt

This brochure is a summary of a food loss assessment of the tomato value chain in Egypt.

Food loss analysis - Grapes value chain in Egypt

This brochure is a summary of a food loss assessment of the grapes value chain in Egypt.

Sun-dried tomato processing in Nubaria

Based on recommendations from a market assessment and food loss study in 2017 for the tomato value chain in Egypt, sun-dried tomato (SDT) processing was identified as a simple, low-cost and effective method to reduce loss and waste in tomatoes by transforming them into a longer shelf-life product, creating value addition, supporting agribusiness through primary processing in the rural area, and exploring different marketing channels for tomato growers.

Strengthening Irrigation and Use of Water Resources on Farms in Egypt

The Farm-level Irrigation Modernization Project (co-financedby the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development,the French Development Agency and the Government of Egypt)aimed to increase agricultural productivity and improve accessto higher-quality water on up to 200 000 feddans (80 000 ha) inthe command areas of Mahmoudia in Beheira Governorate, andthe Manaifa and Meet Yazid main canals in Kafr-el-Sheikh Governoratein the Nile Delta. Given the lack of adequate technical staff forsupervision of the project’s work and quality control, a technical auditwas implemented to review and assess the planning, technical designand implementation of the interventions carried out under theFarm-level Irrigation Modernization Project. Its aim was to helpensure better development outcomes for the ultimate beneficiariesof the original irrigation project, but also wiser use of resourcesby project planners, designers and implementers in the fieldof agriculture water management.

Mainstreaming sustainable food and agriculture in Egypt
A case study

TThis case study provides information on Egypt's experience in mainstreaming Sustainable Food and Agriculture to achieve the SDGs. It links it to FAO's vision for sustainable food and agriculture and its 5 key principles.

Assessment of the commercial chain of bivalves in Egypt

This study provides a first assessment of the bivalve fisheries value chain in Egypt. The estimated number of fishers involved in the activity, both on a part-time and full-time basis, ranged between 2 600 and 7 300. It was estimated that the total production ranges between a minimum of 3 000 tonnes and a maximum of 21 000 tonnes per year and the revenue generated was estimated to be between USD 4.3 million and USD 18.5 million. This guaranteed an average yearly remuneration per fisher that ranged between about USD 100 and USD 4 000, depending on the area and the type of activity. In total, about 75 wholesalers and 24 auctioneers/wholesalers were identified who dealt partially or mainly with bivalves. About 10 to 15 of them were highly specialized in bivalves. The study also identified that bivalves are commonly present in fish markets, with several species already well-known to consumers, and that the market conditions are ripe for the introduction of species originating from new fisheries.

Coping with Water Scarcity in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon

Modern agriculture uses 70 percent of all freshwater withdrawals globally, and up to 95 percent in some developing countries, in order to meet current food demand. In addition, to keep up with growing food demand and shifting diets within the next 30 years, it has been estimated that the effective irrigated area will need to increase by 34 percent in developing countries, and that an extra 14 percent of water will need to be withdrawn for agricultural purposes. In arid and semi-arid regions, increasing numbers of the rural poor have begun to see that entitlement and access to water for food production, livestock and domestic purposes are as critical as access to primary health care and education, while at the same time reverting to a massive use of groundwater resources for irrigation. The current project followed two previous phases of a programme aimed at assisting the agriculture sector to cope with water scarcity and was designed to strengthen national capacities in this sector in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.

Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Developing Value Chains in Egypt and Tunisia

Food Loss and Waste (FLW) is a challenge for food security and a source of economic loss throughout the world. This project focused on mitigating FLW in Egypt and Tunisia, where evidence indicates that food losses occur across value chains and that food waste occurs at the consumption stage. Two value chains that could benefit from development and support in order to reduce FLW and increase livelihoods were identified in both countries. In Egypt, the project focused on the tomato and grape value chains, and in Tunisia, it focused on cereals and dairy. The overall aim of the project was to build the capacities of public and private sector actors, including young people and women, to reduce FLW in the selected value chains as a means of increasing food security and creating economic opportunities while simultaneously attempting to reduce environmental impact.

Say NO to food waste!
A guide to reduce household food waste

Food waste is a critical issue in any household. The main objective of this guide is to support households in understanding what is needed to be done in order to reduce food waste at home. This is seen through proper storage methods for each food category, how to reuse leftovers seen through numerous recipes, the proper food portion, and understanding date labels. This guide has also included a section on how to properly care for household livestock and poultry, and two additional sections, one discussing nutrition and the healthy eating plate and another discussing food processing at home and some recipes for different products.

Integrated agri-aquaculture in desert and arid lands
Learning from case studies from Algeria, Egypt and Oman

The FAO Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity (WSI), initiated in 2013, identified that lack of water resources is a potential disaster scenario for the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. The WSI initiative developed out of 31st Session of the FAO Near East and North Africa (NENA) Regional Conference held in Rome in May 2012, outcomes from the Hyogo Framework Agreement 2005 – 2015, and highlighted through work undertaken by the Arab Water Council in reports in 2004, 2012 and 2015.

e-Update - FAO Global Internship, Volunteers, and Fellows (IVF) Programme
January 2020 | Issue No.8

FAO IVF e-Update is a quarterly newsletter to share the news of the Programme among diverse audience. Its purpose is to outreach pontifical partners and candidates who can contribute to FAO Strategic Objectives and UN Sustainable Development Goals. This edition features the information on the Global Presentations Day by IVF participants worldwide as well as 2019 annual statistics.

The long-term future of livestock and fishery in Egypt
Production targets in the face of uncertainty

Egypt's society and economy will grow swiftly and transform extensively in the next three decades. Along this transformative process, the demand for animal source food will exponentially increase and livestock is likely to become the most important sector of agriculture. In order to be prepared to take action to ensure sustainable livestock production and value chains in 2050, this report provides hints fo the feasible future scenarios for livestock in the coutry and how to be prepared to ensure sustaible livestock production. This report portrays country possibile livestock futures: it sheds light on emerging challenges and uncertain disruptive events associated with a transformed livestock sector, and identifies priority areas for action to take today for a sustainable livestock in the long-term.

Palm Dates Value Chain Development in Egypt

Egypt’s varying climatic zones make it the perfect countryfor growing different varieties of dates. Date palms cantolerate arid conditions and require a relatively smallamount of water, making them an ideal crop for this areaof the world. Dates are a crucial part of the local diet inEgypt, and date by-products, such as bars, blocks, syrupsand pastes, are processed in factories and sold for localconsumption. For these reasons, the date palm tree isexpected to maintain a dominant place in Egyptianagriculture in the future.Despite being ranked the top date producing country inthe world, Egypt’s export contribution to the internationaldate market is low.

Support Sustainable Water Management and Irrigation Modernization for Newly Reclaimed Areas - TCP/EGY/3604

A key challenge for the agriculture sector in Egypt is to feed its growing population in the context of increasing demand on the finite water resources and a trade deficit. Horizontal expansion into new land in the desert has long been strategic in meeting this challenge. Major land reclamation activities have been initiated under the National Reclamation Project, with the objective of increasing agricultural land area by two percent, making agricultural land nine percent of the total area of Egypt. These activities aim to sustainably use the groundwater resources of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer and other GW systems in different parts of Egypt to irrigate an area of up to 1.5 million feddan (630 000 ha). To this end, the Government of Egypt requested FAO support to the land reclamation programme. Within the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity, FAO would pilot a data and information management system, based on monitoring and remote sensing (RS) data to assist MWRI and MALR to monitor water consumption and water productivity in the newly reclaimed areas.

On-farm Irrigation Development Project in the Old Lands (OFIDO)
Technical assessment – Final report

The Government of Egypt is committed to enhancing food security and developing the country’s agricultural sector through the sustainable management of its natural resources and the active improvement of its institutional capacities. The national “Poverty Reduction and Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy” well align with this objective by calling for the promotion of a more efficient and market-oriented agriculture and optimal use of land and water resources.

Empowering Women and Youth to Improve Household Food and Nutrition Security in Egypt

Economic stagnation, rising poverty, and a high unemployment rate have all contributed to a lack of household food and nutrition security in Egypt. This situation has negatively impacted the nutritional outcomes of vulnerable households, and especially children, whose health status has deteriorated in recent years. This project was designed to foster the creation of a food-secure environment that would improve access to food and increase local knowledge of nutrition in some of Upper Egypt’s poorest villages. The primary beneficiaries of the project interventions were women and children. Government staff from relevant ministries also benefited from training to increase their technical and managerial skills. The overall objectives of the project were to build capacities, to improve and increase food production and income generating activities, to raise awareness of health and nutrition, and to create a monitoring and evaluation system to track the results of project interventions.

Improving Water Harvesting and Livestock Rearing in Matrouh Governorate, Egypt

In the northern part of Matrouh Governorate, Egypt, yields of rain-fed agriculture are very low, owing to the erratic and variable rainfall pattern in the area. Besides the effect on crop production and productivity, the water scarcity challenges of the area and the erratic highly fluctuating rainfall affect the area’s feed supply for livestock, which, in turn, affects the production and reproductive performances of animals. Given that livelihoods in the area depend largely on the rainfall, it was crucial to increase the efficiency of runoff water for human consumption and agricultural use, for both crops and livestock. Against this background, the project aimed to increase the sustainability and productivity of rain-fed agriculture in rural areas and improve the living conditions of the local population, by promoting water harvesting and good crop-related agricultural practices in 38 communities located in four districts in Matrouh Governorate, namely Ras El Hekma, Matrouh, Negila and Barrani.

Improving Productivity, Quality & Competitiveness of Horticultural Production in Fayoum

In Egypt, the smallholder horticulture sector, which represents 90 percent of the horticulture production sector, has not been able to keep up with recent technological developments in terms of on-farm water use efficiency, and the application of integrated production and protection management, as the backbone of Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs). Overall, the sector is at risk of losing its competitiveness with a consequent loss in jobs and income for a large number of rural families.

Rapid water accounting for Malawi site in Al Minya, Egypt

Water accounting (WA) is the systematic study of the current status and trends in water supply, demand, accessibility and use in domains that have been specified (FAO 2012). It is one of the tools to to quantify the 'benefits' and the 'costs' of alternative policy options to address food insecurity while sustaining water resources. This flyer provides information about water accounting concept and methodology to increase the knowledge of technical experts from the Ministry of Irrigation and Ministry of Agriculture when working in the field. This publication comes under the activities of the regional project on “Implementing the 2030 Agenda for water efficiency/productivity and water sustainability in NENA countries”. However, this publication is specifically targeting technical experts working in Egypt.

Food loss analysis for tomato value chains in Egypt

This report analyzes the value chain and presents a food loss assessment of tomato crop in Nubaria District and Sharqia Governorate, as part of the project “Food Loss and Waste Reduction and Value Chain Development for Food Security in Egypt and Tunisia” implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) with funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. It aims to deepen understanding of the tomatoes value chain and the particular problem of food loss, in order to promote sustainable, market-based solutions that respond to the needs of small-scale holders.

Food loss analysis for grapes value chains in Egypt

This report analyzes the value chain and presents a food loss assessment for grapes in Nubaria District, as part of the project “Food Loss and Waste Reduction and Value Chain Development for Food Security in Egypt and Tunisia” implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) with funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. It aims to deepen understanding of the grapes value chain and the particular problem of food loss, in order to promote sustainable, market-based solutions that respond to the needs of small-scale holders.

Updating the Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy 2030 and Preparing a Medium-Term Plan of Action

There is broad consensus in Egypt that, despite its achievements, the Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy ( 2030 needs to be reviewed in a number of areas As an agricultural and rural development strategy aiming to address existing and future challenges, there is a need for the SADS to go beyond a sectoral scope, as interlinkages between agriculture, water, land use, climate change, agro industry, input supply, food security and nutrition are key to determining the outcomes of the overall development process The environment, in particular water, land and climate change, is a sector closely considered within the SADS 2030 The recently developed National Water Resource Plan for Egypt provides an opportunity to endow the SADS 2030 with a well rounded vision and to assesses agricultural development needs with water management provisions In addition, it was agreed that linking agricultural and value chain development might provide a framework for developing more resilient agriculture and rural non farm sectors able to generate better jobs, reduce rural poverty and vulnerability and enhance food security At the outset of the project, specific focus was needed upon the favouring the participation of smallholders in modern value chains, ensuring a smooth exit out of the agricultural sector and employment opportunities in other sectors primarily agrifood processing and distribution for those unable to continue working in agriculture.

Sustainable management of Kharga oasis agro-ecosystems

A rapid population growth, with its exponential urbanization and extended and intensified unsustainable agricultural sector development (with over-pumping, overgrazing, monoculture, and heavy reliance on synthetic fertilizers) have been the main drivers of land degradation processes including progressive and accelerated salinization, soil and water pollution, soil fertility depletion, and erosion of genetic plant resources. These have further led to increased wind and water erosion and sand encroachment.