Research Series 81: Food and water systems in semi-arid regions – case study: Egypt

Water is a major driver of food systems in arid and semi-arid countries. This paper explores the role of water in Egypt’s food system and the dilemma the country faces: raise food self-sufficiency by allocating freshwater resources from the Nile to food production, or rely on food imports from water-abundant regions worldwide.

Using a food system analysis approach, the main drivers and outcomes in Egypt’s food system are described, followed by two examples of food system trade-offs where water plays an important role: wheat and chicken.

The paper concludes with a reflection on the role of water in the food system and gives suggestions on how the role of water in the food system can be addressed systematically.