Threats and challenges to sustainable agriculture and rural development in Egypt: implications for agricultural extension.

Abstract

Egypt is an agricultural based country. Its development primarily depends upon rural resources. A griculture contributes approximately 14% of the GDP and absorbs about31% of workforce. About 53 % population lives in rural areaswhere directlyor indirectly their livelihood depends upon agricultural sector. Despite its positive and significant contributions to food security/supply, economy, employment, export earnings, ecological balance, yet theagricultureof the country faces many threats an d challengeswhich, in turn, impactsrural development initiatives. The prominentchallenges includeland and water issues ;old cultivation techniques; lack of information on mar keting;poverty;degradation of natural resources and environmental issues; population growth;inadequate support services; framework andinstitutional constraints;and lack of agricultural and rural development policies. In this article, an effort has been made to identify the constraints faced by the agricultural sector, discuss t he available farm management options, and to outline the vibrant