Agri-Food Sustainability and Food Security in Egypt

Abstract

In most developing nations, food and nutrition security remains an issue. Yet, the role of transition to sustainable agri-food systems (SAFSs) and its potential contribution to food security in these nations is rarely discussed. This chapter analyzes the transition to SAFSs in the Egyptian context, with a specific focus on organic agriculture, and its implications for food security. Qualitative data were collected through a systematic review and analyzed using the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP; socio-technical landscape, socio-technical regime, and niche). Results reveal that organic agriculture is a prominent niche for transition to SAFSs that can mitigate Egypt's socio-economic and environmental problems in the long run (e.g. global warming, water scarcity, health issues, poverty, unemployment, population growth). However, the dominant system is intensive, irrigated agriculture that is characterized by high use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Landscape elements are projected to put a strain on the agri-food regime while also creating a possibility for the development of diverse sustainable niches. The implications of this transformation on food security dimensions (viz. availability, accessibility, utilization, stability) seem rather mixed. Therefore, political support, physical and institutional infrastructure improvement, technology transfer, and awareness-raising are all essential to achieve sustainable food security and zero hunger in Egypt.