Several observations may be safely made regarding agriculture in the Middle East: it has continued to be the major economic sector in the region; it has developed conspicuously in the last two decades although the gains have been seriously diminished by the increase in population; agriculture still has a great potential for change and development, given the natural endowments of the region.
Why is agriculture important in the Middle East region?
Agricultural Biomass in MENA. Agriculture plays an important role in the economies of most of the countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. Despite the fact that MENA is the most water-scarce and dry region in the world, many countries in the region, especially those around the Mediterranean Sea, are highly dependent on agriculture.
What is the importance of Agriculture in Egypt’s economy?
Today, agriculture is still a key component of the Egyptian economy. It provides livelihoods for about 55 percent of the population, which is largely rural. [10] The agricultural sector accounts for about 17 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and approximately 20 percent of its foreign exchange earnings. [11]
How does agriculture contribute to the economic development of a country?
It is seen that increased agricultural output and productivity tend to contribute substantially to an overall economic development of the country, it will be rational and appropriate to place greater emphasis on further development of the agricultural sector.
Is the Middle East’s economic growth finally on track?
The prospect of the Middle East region finally realizing appropriate levels of economic growth, global leadership in all areas, and a balanced contribution to the global economy is exhilarating.
How does agriculture improve the economy of a country?
A strong agricultural economy brings social progress by increasing productivity, employment and income. Agriculture is the main driver of development in most rural areas. Demand for staple foods, agricultural commodities and – increasingly – processed food is growing in developing countries.
Is agriculture an important economic activity in the Middle East?
Historically, agriculture has played a key role in the development of many economies of the Middle East and North Africa; initially in the production of cereals and livestock and later in the development of fruits, vegetables and cash crops from irrigated or partially irrigated land.
What was one important agricultural technology that farmers in the Middle East used to help their farms?
Technological innovation The most important technical innovation for agriculture in the Middle Ages was the widespread adoption around 1000 of the mouldboard plow and its close relative, the heavy plow. These two plows enabled medieval farmers to exploit the fertile but heavy clay soils of northern Europe.
What is the contribution of Middle East in agriculture?
While agriculture in the Middle East represents a mere 13% of the region’s GDP, the sector plays a strategically important role in promoting resilient food systems, keeping critical economic sectors alive, and forming the base of many economies.
Why is agriculture limited in the Middle East?
Due to a lack of cultivable land and a limited amount of water, the Middle East produces less than half of the food and agro-industrial products it consumes. With the exception of Israel, agriculture in the region remains undeveloped. Most Middle Eastern countries are highly dependent on food from abroad.
What is the agriculture industry in the Middle East?
Wheat and barley are the major staple crops grown in the Middle East region. In addition, significant quantities of rice, maize, lentils, chickpeas, vegetables and fruits are produced throughout the region, mainly in Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
How did the development of agriculture during Neolithic times impact those living in the Middle East?
About 10,000 years ago people in the Middle East learned how to raise a wild wheat plant, and agriculture (farming and raising livestock) was born – huge changes followed for humans! Some of the causes of the Neolithic Revolution, or the start of settled agriculture, are a warmer climate and longer growing season.
Why was agriculture important to the development of civilization?
Humans invented agriculture. Farming enabled people to grow all the food they needed in one place, with a much smaller group of people. This led to massive population growth, creating cities and trade.
What percentage of Egypt’s GDP is agriculture?
It provides livelihoods for about 55 percent of the population, which is largely rural. [10] . The agricultural sector accounts for about 17 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and approximately 20 percent of its foreign exchange earnings. [11] .
What did the ancient Egyptians do to help their civilization?
In addition, ancient Egyptians practiced a kind of sustainable agriculture by adapting their farming along the Nile valley to the ecological condition, [8] which allowed their civilization to thrive and endure.
What is the scope of the breeder’s right in Egypt?
Hence, the EIPL (82/2002) allows farmers to replant seed of protected varieties on their own farms without the authorization of the breeder under certain circumstances. [17] .
What are the crops that make up the majority of the country’s agricultural land?
Crops such as cotton, rice, wheat and clover cover 80 percent of the cultivated area of the country. [12] . Agriculture is also a source of raw material for a number of economic sectors, including the cotton industry. [13]
Why are seeds and plants not patentable in Egypt?
This is because the main area affected by providing such high standards of IP protection is that of seeds and plants, the first link in the food chain. Methods of agriculture, seeds and plants, were not patentable in Egypt as they were held as common goods.
How many species of plants are there in Egypt?
Egypt is home to more than 3,000 plant species. [14] . Egypt’s agrobiodiversity encompasses not just its wide variety of species and genetic resources, but also the numerous practices that farmers employ to use, enhance, and conserve this diversity.
Why did Egypt amend its intellectual property law?
Egypt was required to amend its intellectual property law to ensure conformity with the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Egypt is also obligated to bring its IP law into conformity with the bilateral trade deals with the European Union. Article 73 (5) of the Association Agreement with …
What is the role of agriculture in the economy?
Agricultural sector plays a strategic role in the process of economic development of a country. It has already made a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of advanced countries and its role in the economic development of less developed countries is of vital importance. ADVERTISEMENTS: In other words, where per capita real income is …
Why is agriculture important?
Agriculture is the basic source of food supply of all the countries of the world—whether underdeveloped, developing or even developed. Due to heavy pressure of population in underdeveloped and developing countries and its rapid increase, the demand for food is increasing at a fast rate.
How does rural economy affect social welfare?
The rising agricultural surplus caused by increasing agricultural production and productivity tends to improve social welfare, particularly in rural areas. The living standard of rural masses rises and they start consuming nutritious diet including eggs, milk, ghee and fruits. They lead a comfortable life having all modern amenities—a better house, motor-cycle, radio, television and use of better clothes.
What is agriculture in India?
Agriculture provides employment opportunities for rural people on a large scale in underdeveloped and developing countries. It is an important source of livelihood. Generally, landless workers and marginal farmers are engaged in non-agricultural jobs like handicrafts, furniture, textiles, leather, metal work, processing industries, and in other service sectors. These rural units fulfill merely local demands. In India about 70.6% of total labour force depends upon agriculture.
What happens to agricultural production during a depression?
During depression, industrial production can be stopped or reduced but agricultural production continues as it produces basic necessities of life. Thus it continues to create effective demand even during adverse conditions of the economy.
What will happen to agriculture as a result of industrialization?
As a result of agricultural progress, there will be extension of market for industrial products. Increase in agricultural productivity leads to increase in the income of rural population which is turn leads to more demand for industrial products, thus development of industrial sector.
Why is agricultural advancement important?
Agricultural advancement is necessary for improving the supply of raw materials for the agro-based industries especially in developing countries. The shortage of agricultural goods has its impact upon on industrial production and a consequent increase in the general price level.
What is Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week?
Like many global events and conferences, the marquee sustainability gathering in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week ( ADSW ), had to scale back its plans as it went virtual last week. Nevertheless, the week-long event promised new developments on renewables, sustainable development, youth engagement and food security.
Why did the Gulf Cooperation Council invest in Latin America?
Over a decade ago, wealthier Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states were locked in a race to invest in lands across regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America in order to secure their long-term food security. Critics accused those nations of accelerating a worldwide “ land grab ” that would bolster rich Middle East nations at the expense of far poorer citizens. Governments within the Gulf region responded that such strategies were necessary to reduce dependence on pricey imports and food subsidies. The pandemic has revived those fears, as agriculture generates little economic activity in any of these countries – no more than 2.5 percent, in fact.
Is the Gulf economy based on oil revenues?
There is growing awareness across the Gulf and that planning for a future economy not based on oil revenues is the reality ; and to their credit, some of the region’s leaders have harnessed their oil largess for positive change – as in education, philanthropy and foreign aid – rather than simply squandering it.
Is there hydrogen in Abu Dhabi?
In the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is exploring green hydrogen opportunities through the renewable energy company, Masdar, and its eponymous urban innovation center on the outskirts of the country’s capital. This strategy builds upon Masdar’s track record of funding wind and solar projects within and outside the UAE to meet the demand for clean power across the globe. Plans call for a demonstration-scale green hydrogen plant at Masdar City to produce fuel for ground transportation, shipping and aircraft.
1. Coordinating a robust and inclusive recovery
The first priority is the economic recovery from COVID-19, given the resulting increase in public debt-to-GDP ratios in the region. It is imperative for governments to coordinate recovery efforts by proactively involving the private sector to ensure that their interventions have maximum effect.
2. Working towards a green MENA region
The Middle East is responsible for around 8% of global carbon emissions, but it is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world.
3. Broadening the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The third area of collaboration is technology – one of the key sectors were trust needs to be rebuilt. The MENA region has witnessed a flurry of activities in this respect, exemplified by Saudi Arabia’s and the UAE’s adoption of personal data protection laws last fall.
4. Advancing geopolitical dialogue
Finally, the Middle East will not reach its full economic potential without a stable geopolitical environment. As such, the instability that blights half of its countries, from Afghanistan to Syria, Libya to Lebanon, needs to be addressed to avoid spillover effects.
How can agriculture improve health?
How agriculture can improve health and nutrition. The agricultural sector presents key opportunities for improving nutrition and health. But this connection is often not given due attention, despite parallel initiatives across the three sectors. The potential impacts of agricultural activities on health and nutrition extend across a number …
Why is agriculture important for the poor?
Given the importance of agriculture for the livelihoods of the rural poor, agricultural growth has the potential to greatly reduce poverty – a key contributor to poor health and undernutrition.
How many people are hungry in the developing world?
Despite major progress, serious concerns remain about the nutrition and health situation throughout the developing world. An estimated 805 million people still go hungry and many people also suffer from hidden hunger, that is, deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals, which are associated with a number of negative health and economic impacts. At the same time, 2.1 billion people worldwide (37% of men and 38% of women) are obese and overweight and this figure is rising (especially in the developing world), bringing with it a rise in non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer).
Why is it important to have partnerships between the private and public sectors?
Partnerships between the private and public sectors play an especially important role in improving the efficiency of post-harvest value chains.
Egypt’s Rich Agricultural Biodiversityat Risk
Impact of The Amendment of Egypt’s Intellectual Property Legislation
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Egypt has kept its agricultural sector outside the purview of the intellectual property rights (IPRs) system. As early as 2000, however, attempts were made to bring agriculture within the ambit of intellectual property protection. Egypt was required to amend its intellectual property law to ensure conformity with the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (…
Law
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In 2015, however, Egypt issued Law (26), which amended Book Four “Plant Variety Protection” of the EIPL (82/2002). Law (26/2015) states that the amendment of the plant variety protection system is intended to secure compliance with the Association Agreement with the European Union. Under Law (26/2015), extensive additions to the EIPL (82/2002) were made with respect t…
Egypt’s “Green” Constitution
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In 2014, however, Egypt committed itself to the principle of sustainable development, and the right to a sustainable environment has been enshrined for the first time within the new Egyptian Constitution. The constitutional emphasis on sustainable development reflects the fact that one of the main factors igniting the uprising of 2011, and the subsequent protests, were extreme cas…
Domestic Needs vs. International Norms
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In conclusion, although providing effective intellectual property protection enables Egypt to be regarded as a reliable partner in international fora, Law (26.2015) provides protection that exceeds the standards of protection required by the TRIPS Agreement. Indeed, Egypt does not benefit from the flexibility provided in the TRIPS Agreement. Based on the results of this study, E…