One of the most prominent challenges is the lack of water resources. Egypt relies heavily on the Nile River, which supplies it with about 53 billion cubic meters of water annually, which is not enough to meet agricultural, economic, and human needs in light of rapid population growth and climate change. Egypt needs more than 50 billion cubic meters additional to meet the requirements of agricultural development and get out of the cycle of water poverty. Continuing water shortages will lead to a reduction in cultivated areas and lower agricultural productivity, and will hinder meeting the basic food needs of the population.

Then, the phenomenon of desertification exacerbates the problem, as the soil loses its fertility as a result of mismanagement of natural resources and climate change, and reduces the land’s ability to produce agricultural production. Egypt relies heavily on importing grains, oils, and other food commodities, which makes it vulnerable to global price fluctuations and increases food security risks.

The challenges are not limited to natural resources only, but also include high agricultural production costs. Egyptian farmers face rising prices for fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, energy and labour, which reduces their profitability and reduces their incentives to produce. Weak agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation, drainage, roads and storage systems, also contributes to production losses and food waste.

Climate changes add another layer of complexity, as droughts, floods and other extreme weather events negatively impact agricultural productivity. Despite these challenges, global crises such as the war in Ukraine and the events in Gaza double the difficulties that Egypt faces in achieving food security.

The Egyptian government has made great efforts to address these challenges, by increasing investments in the agricultural sector, improving irrigation techniques, and developing new varieties of crops. The government also supported farmers by providing fertilizers and seeds at subsidized prices, in addition to low-interest financing services, and strengthened integration between the various production, transportation, storage, and marketing sectors. It also launched several national programs to combat poverty and malnutrition by providing food to the needy and improving health care.

It is necessary for the Egyptian government to look at successful global experiences in managing water resources and achieving food security. Sustainable planning, whether in the short or long term, can contribute to increasing agricultural and industrial exports, and reduce the gap between exports and imports. The latest reports from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics show that the value of Egyptian imports will rise to $94.5 billion in 2022, an increase of $5.3 billion over the previous year, which highlights the need for effective strategies to reduce dependence on imports.

Achieving food security in Egypt requires comprehensive national efforts that include the government, the private sector, and civil society. Joint sectoral cooperation and proactive work to transform challenges into opportunities are the main means through which Egypt can overcome current obstacles and achieve sustainable successes in the future.