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TITLE PAGE

DEDICATION & INTENT OF THE AUTHOR

OUTLINE OF REPORT

INTRODUCTION—A WAY OF LIFE

EGYPT TODAY

THE NILE RIVER

CHAPTER 1 ANCIENT EGYPT

CHAPTER 2 MUHAMMED ALI

CHAPTER 3 POLICIES IN 20TH CENTURY

CHAPTER 4  CAPACITY BUILDING– NARP

CHAPTER 5 POST NARP

CHAPTER 6 RESEARCH TODAY

CHAPTER 7 AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMICS

CHAPTER 8  AGRICULTURAL GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT

CHAPTER 9  EGYPT’S FUTURE—HORTICULTURE

BIBLIOGRAPHY


 


 


 

Chapter 6  Egyptian Research for Agriculture Today

Egypt is an intensive user of modern technologies to improve agricultural productivity in an environment of scarce natural resources and population pressure.  At the beginning of the 20th century, with this in mind, the Ministry of Agriculture (MALR) proceeded with the established technical divisions with research capabilities. These endeavors culminated in the creation of the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) in the early 1970s. (5)

Over the past two decades, numerous achievements have been realized, including the development of new varieties, improved agronomic practices, livestock development, maintenance of the national herds and better food processing techniques. New crops and animal breeds have been introduced and research has been dedicated to problem- solving, side by side with basic science. The overarching goal has been to maximize the economic return per unit of land and water. The Center has so far implemented four 5-year plans and initiated the fifth 5-year plan (2002-2007) in July 2002. Within the national agricultural development strategies, ARC assumes the following major functions:

·        Conduct applied and basic research to generate a continuous flow of technologies that help increase productivity and reduce production cost;

·        Transfer of new technologies to the farming community through extension service; and monitoring their adoption by the end users; and

·        Human capital development as a continual process.

According to its Founding Law, ARC is required to develop its infrastructure, set its priorities, train its research personnel and support staff and upgrade its physical capabilities, with a view to achieving greater sustainability. Over the past two decades, ARC research personnel have increased from 1720 researchers in 1982 to 4300 researchers in 2001. New Central Laboratories and Institutes have been added to improve performance in the on-going plan which is built on the following pivotal themes:

·        Sustainable development of research and extension capabilities;

·        Upgrading technology transfer channels; and

·        Utilize, to the maximum level possible, the findings of science and technology developed abroad.

The fifth 5-year plan incorporates 14 research programs, being implemented by 16 Institutes, 13 Central Labs, 10 regional stations, 36 specific research stations, 21 research administrations throughout Egypt and 4 research, extension and training centers of excellence. This effort is further supported by other partner agencies in MALR, Ministry of water resources and irrigation (MWRI), universities and sister research centers.

 A multidisciplinary approach is the major feature of the current plan and key to its success. Clearer definition of research topics, geared to solving specific problems, is also another feature, complemented by the set objectives and the physical, human and financial resources earmarked to attain them.

The following topics are particularly appropriate in Egypt’s effort to increase food production and jobs for labor through efficient management of natural resources, especially water and fertilizer; selection of appropriate crops and varieties; care and improvement of animal productivity and the adaptation of products for foreign and domestic markets.  The discussions include reports and examples of systems that have been used in Egypt or in other parts of the world to advance productivity, improve varieties, healthier products, more efficient use of resources, increase trade and financial stability, develop international markets and utilize the most modern scientific systems.  These examples are intended to provide information for comparison with local situations and interests.  They are not intended as “the way things should be done in Egypt.”

 

ROLE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND PATENTS (7,59,81, 106, 109, 110, 111, 112)

There is one topic that is an important consideration in every type of research affecting plants, animals, and microorganisms. That topic is biotechnology or genetic engineering or molecular biology.  Whatever specific term one uses, it is a powerful tool for the modification of the genetics of an organism.  It is an extremely important method of reducing pesticide overuse; it is a means of accelerating the development of new strains of beneficial microorganisms as well as plants and animals.  However the almost miraculous benefits of the method bring with it the problem of misunderstanding and rejection.  Many governments have refused to examine the entire spectrum of benefits and concerns and hence of disadvantage their country.  Hence specialists in the field have provided background information as an aid to the decision makers of interested countries. Details

 

Section 1-- SOIL AND WATER RESEARCH

One of the challenges the world faces in developing agricultural strategies that are truly sustainable is maintaining the resource base-- the soil and water that make agriculture possible.

Population growth, intensified land use, environmental degradation, and agricultural productivity are interrelated issues. During the last 20 years, agricultural technology has been able to meet the needs of a vastly larger and generally more prosperous world population,  but now there is concern that those initiatives have peaked and that the technologies in use focus mainly on the geographic sites with ample water and few soil constraints. Details

 

Section 2-- COTTON RESEARCH

 

The Cotton Research Institute (CRI) is one of the oldest agricultural research institutions in Egypt and one of the pioneering cotton institutions in the world. Its roots are traced back to a small research station in Giza, founded in the first decade of the twentieth century. The year 1920 marked the beginning of serious coordinated research on the cotton crop under the umbrella organization known as the Cotton Research Board (CRB). Early research focused on the botany and genetics of Egyptian cotton, followed later by the selection of promising varieties. The spinning mill was built in 1935, and was separately responsible to the Ministry of Agriculture, but its day-to-day work was conducted in a close liaison with the cotton breeders. The spinning mill provided the breeder with the measurements and interpretation of fiber and yarn properties needed for the breeding program. Later on, the various sections dealing exclusively with cotton were reorganized into two separate sections. The Production Section included breeding, regional evaluation, variety maintenance, cultural practices, and physiology. The Technology Section included fiber, spinning, grading and ginning. In 1971, the ARC was established to encompass research activities of the MOA, and the Production and Technology sections were joined into what is now known as the Cotton Research Institute. Details

 

Section 3-- CROP PRODUCTION IS BASIC--FAO

 

The demand for food in developing countries is enormous. The global demand for cereal grains over a 25-year period shows that the industrialized countries account for roughly 15% of this demand while developing countries account for 85%.  (Sirageldin. 144). The same is true for meat products. When it comes to roots and tubers, the demand in the most industrialized countries will account for less than 3% of production while 85 to 95% will be used in the developing countries. And as new, urban lifestyles lead greater numbers of people to consume more fats and less fiber, more fast food and fewer home-cooked meals, developing countries face a double challenge – widespread hunger on the one hand and rapid increases in obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other diet-related diseases on the other.

While this points to the ongoing importance of international trade in food, it also points to the need for a transformation in the efficiency of agriculture in developing countries if these food requirements are to be met. It is argued that increasing yields, and not increasing the cultivated areas, is the only viable option to meet the increasing demand for food at less dollar expense and less damage to and better protection of biodiversity and endangered ecosystems. Details

Section 4-- ANIMAL AGRICULTURE

 

Agriculture started in the Golden Triangle of the Eastern Mediterranean Area where crops were first cultivated. Of the 4,800-mammalian species that exist on the planet today, about a dozen became easily domesticated. Cattle originated around ten to twelve thousand years ago by domestication of the now extinct species Auroch (Diamond, 1997). There were several separate domestications of cattle. One of which went to form the hump cattle found in the Indies, and the other the Bos taurus.  Cattle were originally identified by Carolus Linnaeus as three separate species. These were Bos taurus, the European cattle, including similar types from Africa and Asia; Bos indicus, the zebu; and the extinct Bos primigenius, the aurochs.

 Genes from both sub-species have contributed to the breeds that we know today. However, selective breeding of cattle to produce the milk and beef breeds that we recognize today only started about 200 years ago. Livestock breeding has progressed very rapidly since then, particularly during the latter part of the Twentieth Century. Animal agriculture is an often forgotten part of world agriculture, despite its scope and significance. Productivity gains will continue to be necessary as global demand for animal protein outpaces productive capacity.  Today, livestock production accounts for 30 to 40% of world agriculture production, and the demand for animal protein is increasing. Major productivity gains have been made in United States (US) animal agriculture over the past century. Productivity gains will continue to be necessary as global demand for animal protein outpaces world productive capacity. Genetic technologies, with proper oversight and risk assessment, can provide great benefits for years to come. Details

 

Section 5--Genetic Engineering Research Institute

It is obvious from the discussions about Biotech Cotton and the exceptional gains in the productivity of food animals that the research carried out in the Genetic Engineering Research Institute is a key and critical part of the future of plant and animal research in Agriculture.  Egypt is fortunate in having one of the best centers of  GE research in the Mediterranean region.  Much of the future growth and improvement of pant and animal food production will depend on the accomplishments of this Institute.  Details

 

Section 6-- Agriculture Economics Research Institute

Objectives:

Conducting economic and statistical studies in order to find solutions to several economic problems & issues:

·         Optimizing the use utilization of agricultural economic resources and maximize the output from the available unit of these resources.

·         Highlighting the marketing methods of agricultural commodities that could maximize profits for agricultural produces, high quality of agricultural crop, and improving export of agricultural commodities.

·         Studying the current financial and agricultural credit policies and suggesting how to improve it in context of the free market mechanism.

·         Studying the current cooperation system and suggesting how to improve it.

·         Conducting rural community research studies to help improve standard of living for rural people.

·         Studying economics of agricultural labor and mechanization.

·         Studying agricultural policy and project evaluation.

·         Conducting research studies at regional  level.

·         Studying the current situation and outlook of the agricultural commodity and agricultural inputs.

·         Developing methods of data collection, analysis and publishing statistical data.

·         Environment protection and development.

·         Developing and improving sample techniques in order to obtain reliable and timely agricultural statistical estimates.

 

Conduct Economical and Statistical Studies Covering the following Topics

·         Economic study for the export potentialities and marketing efficiency for the main medicinal and aromatic plants.

·         Study the effect of the World Trade Organization on the Egyptian agricultural sector.

·         Outlook of cooperation between Egypt and Arab groups in the field of animal production.

·         Investigation studies about the main agricultural exports and import commodities of  COMESA with concentration on Egypt.

·         Effect of changes in consumption on the food gap of faba bean.

·         Environmental effects on the economic development.

·         Analytical study for some indicators of the rural development in ARE.

·         Effect of the WTO on the agricultural imports.

·         Analytical study about the role of credit in rural development and poverty alleviation.

·         Rural financial market.

·         Study the constraints and possibilities of improving the agricultural cooperation role in agricultural finance and credit in Egypt.

·         Investors’ directions and ideas about the appropriate climate for the agricultural investment, and the investment opportunity available for individuals banks in the agriculture sector.

·         Role of the Social Development Fund in financing some of the agricultural activities and solving problems of unemployment.

·         Analytical study about the financial efficiency of some projects and farms producing meat and milk in the new land.

·         Economic study of the different patterns of new land utilization.

·         Methods of improving agricultural statistics.

·         Economic studies on the demand of agricultural labor production function for corn and maize.

Conduct an economic and statistical studies related to the following subjects:

 

 

§         The effect expected local and international economic changes, improve methods of estimating the agricultural national income, calculate the revenue from the different crops, value added, commodity balance and food balance sheet.

§         Potentialities to get access to the word markets of agricultural production and how to open new markets and improve the marketing information system.

§         Focus on marketing extension as a tool to increase production and farmer income.

§         Marketing bottlenecks and how to overcome them with focus on marketing of commodities and agricultural crops.

§         Marketing structure and efficiency.

§         Current situation and outlook of agricultural commodities in order to provide agricultural policy maker with necessary information and indicators.

§         Efficiency in using the economic agricultural resources.

§         Focus on land reclamation economics and feasibility studies for using drainage water and mixed water, and the economics of techniques in using water for irrigation.

§         Current financial and cooperation methods and how to improve them.

§         Conduct economic and social studies for development the rule society, highlight problems, hob opportunities, health care, educational services, and elevating the standard of living of rural families.

§         Problems facing agricultural and finding a suitable solutions for them.

§         Bottlenecks facing agricultural development at regional level.

§         Improve the methods of estimating crop yield and forecasting.

§         Improving methods of statistical data collection, tabulation and publishing. Also, improving the agricultural census accuracy level, costs of agricultural production, price & labor as well.

§         Improving methods of crop yield estimation and forecasting techniques.

 

Section 7-- Food Technology Research Institute Goals

·        Improving quality of food products to cope with the international measures needed for exportation.

·        Improving processing procedures in the field of bread and bakery products, dairy products, fish and meat products as well as processed horticultural products.

·        Continuing the evaluation and monitoring of food consumption pattern to cover the entire country.

·        Finding new sources for food and reducing food losses and finding new methods to reduce environmental pollution.

·        Recycling of farm, factory and slaughter- house wastes in food products either by raising its added value or in ensuring safe disposal.

·        Introducing simple and new applicable methods in food quality control.

·        Technologies transfer to users and strengthening the relationship between researchers and food processors.

·        Conducting feasibility studies for investors in food processing.

·        Conducting training and extension programs for small-scale food projects.

·        Encouraging overseas training programs specially those held in the developed countries about new trends in the field of specialization.

·        Focusing on training programs that aim to develop women in rural society.

 

Conclusions

Financial Support for Egyptian Research

For the past 30 plus years, the scientific and technical developments in Egypt has been supported by USAID, World Bank, IMF, FAO, ACDI/VOCA, Ford Foundation, Rockfeller Foundation, IFAD, GTZ, European Agencies, numerous foundations, the Egyptian Government and others I am sorry to have left off the list.

Recently the European Council has made a major commitment to help Egypt implement the European Neighborhood Policy which will have financial value as well as value in dealing with international legal matters.

Europe and Egypt to cooperate on science plan


[CAIRO] Egypt’s EU-Egypt Association Council has agreed to a series of scientific and technological reforms under a European Union (EU) initiative to foster deeper political and economic harmony with its neighbors. 

The reforms were developed as part of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP).

The European Commission has approved around US$733 million to help Egypt implement the ENP reforms from 2007–2010, although sources in Egypt told SciDevNet that the allocation for the science and technology reforms has not yet been decided.

Planned activities include development of a 'patent culture' in technology parks and universities, which will be organized by intellectual property offices, as well as the introduction of a doctoral level program in intellectual property law.

Egyptian scientists' access to European scientific databases and their participation in European research groups and international scientific debates and fora will be improved.

In a bid to promote technology-based industry, the reforms call for better interaction mechanisms between research and industry, and the creation of regional 'technopoles' — towns with teaching and research facilities which can support the development of hi-tech industries.

In addition, scholarships will be offered for Egyptian students to attend European universities, broader links between EU and Egyptian scientific institutions will be established, contacts between academics will be improved and Egypt will be eligible for ENP funds to encourage cross-border co-operation and sustainable development.

Egypt will also increase its collaboration with the EU in common energy strategies, nuclear safety, information technology, education, agriculture and fisheries, and environmental issues, such cleaning up pollution in the Mediterranean.

The council established a new expert-level sub-committee to make sure that the reforms are implemented and take stock of progress made. 

Hassan Moawad Abdel Al, former president of Alexandria's Mubarak City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, told SciDev.Net that the reforms would not only build Egypt's scientific capacity, but also strengthen science capabilities in other Arab and African countries.

Critical Emerging Issues 

We are told repeatedly that the crisis in the World food supply is not one of production but of distribution and that the solution is political. Nevertheless, even if structural solutions improve food distribution, world population will soar from 6 billion to 10 billion, or thereabouts, by 2050. This increase in population will necessitate a vast increase in the amount of food produced. At the same time the area of useful agricultural land is shrinking and, in many cases, deteriorating in quality. As a result of this intensity of farming, natural resource management will have to be improved.

Investment in Agricultural Research

To maintain the historical gains in animal productivity, scientific knowledge through research must continue to advance. Relevant investment in agricultural research is needed in both Europe and in the United States to maintain food production and to achieve agricultural sustainability. Yet, it is unclear that such investments are possible within the existing political environment.

Before World War 2, 40% of the US federal research dollars went into agriculture. The situation has changed markedly since then. The USDA's portion is now only 4%. Of this approximately $1.8 billion, only a small fraction, less than $150 million, is directed towards long-term, peer-reviewed, competitive research. The result is that most young researches are increasingly focusing their attention away from agriculture and toward the health-related research activities. Yet it is possible to make a strong case that agriculture is contributing greatly to the health of the US and global population, and that research is vital if agriculture is to continue to meet food needs.

Biotechnology

Emerging technologies must also be nurtured and employed effectively. Genetically modified foods are currently at a stage where they could flounder or bring great benefit. Their existence is threatened as the result of perceived but, in many cases, unfounded safety considerations and the ensuing negative public response. Jarrod Diamond, in his book, Guns, Germs and Steel describes how the Japanese developed a sophisticated firearms industry in the sixteenth century, only to abandon it for 300 years because it conflicted with Samurai tradition. The development of technologies can be slowed down and even lost in an incompatible social context. Genetic technologies have a bright future in agriculture as well as in medicine. With proper oversight and risk assessment they can provide great benefit in the difficult times ahead.

 

Outline

 


 
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