| dc.description.abstract | The most dangerous impacts of the increasing of population in Egypt are the
exposure of food security especially from animal protein products, including fish,
especially those produced from fish farms.
The production of fish farms can contribute to meeting the increasing need for food,
as fish farms are the largest source of self-supply of fish in Egypt. They contribute
about 81% of the total fish production, estimated at 1.9 million tons (the farms
produced about 1.6 million tons in 2018). The average per capita share of domestic
fish production is estimated at 19.6 kg in 2018, of which 15.9 kg from fish farming
represents 82% of the total consumption. The provision of fish farmed fish in the
popular markets, especially tilapia, played an important role in controlling prices
compared to what happened with the prices of alternative commodities such as meat
and poultry. Thanks to the production of fish farms, the per capita share of fish
exceeded the world level, as the average per capita share of fish in Egypt increased
annually to about 20 kilograms, compared to the 18 kilograms of the global
average. Fish farms also contribute to reducing dependence on imports, which were
estimated at 324 thousand tons, valued at about 12.3 billion pounds in 2018. The
fish farming sector also provides about 150 thousand jobs in the value chain,
according to the estimates of the World Fish Center in 2011.
Fish farms contribute to achieving rural development and developing coastal areas,
protecting and preserving the aquatic environment and biodiversity, controlling
aquatic weeds in lakes and other inland waters, preserving endangered species, and
maximizing the yield of water resources by exploiting Sanitary and agricultural
drainage wastewater after being treated in fish farming.
In the last years, many problems have accumulated that impede the development
and sustainability of the activity, which include:
- The increase in feed prices, which represents a serious problem for fish farmers, as
it represents more than 60% of production costs, which directly affects the profits
from the production.
- Not to allow the use of irrigation water (Nile water), and dependence on
agricultural drainage water.
-Increasing the rental value of the land both owned by both government and private
sectors.
- Fish farmers are not allowed to own state lands that are leased out, as well as, the
short rental period for lands (whether leased from the government or private sector)
impedes the injection of additional investments necessary for development.
-The high cost of energy used.
-Lack of fish preservation and processing facilities that help create added value for
fish and maintain price balance during harvest seasons, i.e. increasing supply.
- The deficiency of commercial banks in granting credit to farmers. This mainly due
to the fish farming activities are considered of a high degree of risk and accordingly
required high interest rate of credit, and demanding guarantees that most farmers
cannot provide, especially if the lands are rented.
- Deficiencies in the legislations regulating fish farming activity and the relaxation
in implementing laws and decisions.
- The absence of an institutional framework that guarantees integration between the
relevant authorities in the aquaculture sector.
- Lack of guidance and training for fish farmers, especially with regard to aspects
related to farming best practices and engineering.
- Facing the challenges and determinants that hinder the sustainability and
development of production from fish farms, it is necessary to ensure coordination
between policy makers and decision-makers from one side and stakeholders from
the other side. The following actions and policies to be considered:
- Using remote sensing technology and geographic information systems, in
combination with ground and field data, in making an investment map in the field
of aquaculture. Using the application of the proposal of the National Authority for
Remote Sensing and Space Sciences to produce an investment map for aquaculture
in Egypt - Applying the principles of scientific planning for fish farm projects, especially
large projects, to ensure the success of these projects and the achievement of their
goals, as failing in planning is planning to fail.
- Eliminating all determinants and obstacles that limit the use of water and land in
fish farming, especially since fish use water and do not consume it, and fish farm
projects are established on non-agricultural or non-arable lands.
- The expansion of the method of integrated agriculture in the desert lands, which
has been very successful in Wade El-Natron, where the utilization of the water unit
is maximized in the production of fish, crops and livestock.
- Expanding the use of cages in raising fish in all appropriate waterways,
considering the necessary environmental standards as they are characterized by high
production rates and their economic efficiency.
- Providing the necessary incentives to encourage investment in fish farming
projects through tax exemptions in the early stages of the project, and determining
the rental value and rental period of the exploited lands, in a way that helps attract
new investments.
- In light of the limited fresh water resources, especially with the reuse of
agricultural wastewater in plant production, the orientation to marine aquaculture
has become a prerequisite to maintain the momentum achieved by fish farming in
recent years.
- Reconsidering the policy of the General Authority for Fish Resources
Development in the field of managing marine fisheries, which is the main source of
seed for cultured marine varieties, to ensure the preservation of these fish stocks.
- Activating the role of the General Authority for Fish Resources Development and
research centers in the field of extension and training.
-Disseminating and benefiting from the experiences of the private sector and the
research results that prove their usefulness.
Key Words: Fish farms - Food security | |
