Egypt's Agriculture Growth: A Study of the Seed Sector 

Climate change, water scarcity, and rapid population growth are major threats to the agricultural sector and food production across Central and West Asia, and North Africa (CWANA), one of the most water-scarce regions in the world. To increase food production and ensure food security, it is crucial that farmers can access agricultural innovations, including high-quality seeds of new, climate-smart crop varieties resilient to emerging pests and diseases and tolerant to heat, drought, and soil salinity.

In March, ICARDA researchers alongside the WUR conducted a study, built on previous bilateral work of different organizations in the Netherlands and Egypt, to assess the performance of Egypt’s seed sector. The study encompasses ICARDA’s work in the CWANA region and the keen interest of the Egyptian Government in building partnerships for the development of a sustainable seed sector.

The assessment aimed to shed light on challenges and barriers that hamper the development of a well-functioning innovative, competitive, resilient, and inclusive seed sector in Egypt.  Due to the variations in seed systems among crops in Egypt, the study focused on the seed systems of cereals, food legumes, vegetables, and potatoes, combining the key challenges and opportunities at the sector level.