Egypt should plan to feed its own people and not to export food or feed products. The main reasons are:
Egypt imports more than 50 % of its food needs now. This means that thereis a large dependence on imports to feed its growing population at the rate of 2.5 % per annum.
Egypt has a limited non replenishable underground water. These aquifers which are allindesert areas should be preserved and utilized to produce food and feed to its own people.
The nil river water already fully used with nearly no excess reaching the Mediterraneasea. Hence, dependence on the nile to irrigate larger areas of agricultural land in nil.
Replacing imported food products creates jobs for Egyptians which is badlyneeded.
Large scale projects like Toshka are viable provided properly managed in a way to preserve the soil from salinity.
Private investment can be mobilized into agriculture provided the government comes up with appropriate long standing legislation to protect them from subsidized imports. This can come in the form of effective import duties and safeguard measures.
Agriculture and food investment can be linked once protective measures are in place.
The best opportunities for private capital lie in producing agricultural and food products for local consumptionfirstly to replace imports. Such products are on the rise at 3 % -4% per annumafter applying the protective measures and after replacing imports.
Musa Freiji