Economic and food security benefits associated with raised-bed wheat production in Egypt

Abstract

Countries in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region are dependent on imports of wheat to meet their food security needs. Mechanized raised-bed wheat production is an effective means of increasing productivity and saving scarce water, but the technology needs substantial adaptation to local conditions. This paper estimates the economic benefits from a long-term adaptive research project designed to adapt and promote mechanical raised-bed wheat production in Egypt. The technology itself is associated with a 25% increase in productivity due to higher yields, 50% lower seed costs, a 25% reduction in water use, and lower labor costs. The mechanical raised-bed program is now a component of Egypt's national wheat campaign and it is estimated that by 2023 approximately 800,000 ha of wheat will be planted with the technology. This paper estimates that over a 15 year project horizon, the benefits will exceed US$ 4 billion, with most of the benefits accruing to more than one million Egyptian wheat producers. Other benefits include reduced wheat imports (by more than 50% by 2025), reduced dependence on international commodity markets and increased productivity on more than 200,000 ha of water-starved lands.

Evolution of Crop Water Productivity in the Nile Delta over Three Decades (1985–2015)

“…In the third decade, new agronomic practices that reduce ET were widely adopted in Egypt. These practices are discussed below (Swelam, 2016;Alwang et al, 2018;Molden et al, 2010;Ghazouani et al, 2015;Lal and Stewart, 2012;Swelam et al, 2015) [18][19][20][21][22][23]. While they are widely adopted and can explain some additional increases in CWP due to decreases in ET, the main reason for the increases in CWP are clearly due to better production from using higher yielding crops and better crop and water management.…”

“…The raised bed system increases farm yield by 30% while reducing production costs by 25%, compared to traditional farming practices. According to the authors of Alwang et al, 2018; Molden et al, 2010; Ghazouani et al, 2015; Lal and Stewart, 2012; Swelam et al, 2015 [19][20][21][22][23], in Egypt, the usage of raised beds has improved surface irrigation efficiency and crop productivity. Using raised beds at a width of 130 cm with 180 kg N ha −1 led to the highest wheat grain yield.…”

“…As for cucumber, the percent change in CWP of the third decade was +81% compared with the first decade and −40% compared with the second decade. The water utilization efficiency (kg•m −3 ) reported by the author of Doorenbos and Kassam, 1986 [15] were for cabbage (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20), dry bean (0.3-0.6), onion (8-10), pepper (1.5-3.0), potato (4-7), sugarbeet (6-9), tomato (10)(11)(12), and wheat (0.8-1.0). In comparison, the third decade values from this study were lower for lentil and cucumber; higher for barley, faba bean (green), faba bean (dry), flax, garlic, onion, wheat, cabbage, pepper, potato and squash; and much higher for sugarbeet, eggplant and tomato.…”

Impact of land configuration and organic nutrient management on productivity, quality and soil properties under baby corn in Eastern Himalayas

“…www.nature.com/scientificreports/ growth and yield. Additionally, BBF sowing might have improved the solar radiation interception by crop canopy, thereby reducing the biotic stresses 64 and increased baby corn cob yield. Several researchers previously reported a higher yield of crops under raised bed sowing over FB in high rainfall areas 33,65,66 .…”

Applications of information and communication technologies in the operations of industrial enterprises and the conception of economic security controlling

“…Bagde, B.S. Umre [4]; E. Karanina, E. Sapozhnikova, O. Ryazanova, S. Grin [5]; E. Karanina, K. Kartavyh [6]; E. Kazantseva, G. Chistyakova [7]; I. El-Anis [8]; J. Alwang, S. Sabry, K. Shideed, A. Swelam, H. Halila [9]; J. Neubauer, J. Odehnal [10]; J.D. Wilson [11]; J.E.…”