The most important economic and social indicators of the challenges facing food security for the most important crops in Egypt

Abstract

This study examines the primary economic, environmental, and social challenges impacting food security in Egypt, with a focus on strategic crops including wheat, maize, rice, vegetable oils, and sugar. The results reveal a growing food gap driven by rapid population growth, water scarcity, and urban expansion that is depleting arable land. Self-sufficiency rates for key commodities have declined significantly, increasing reliance on imports and exposing the country to global price fluctuations. The study applies time-series trend analysis to assess production and consumption dynamics and proposes targeted policy measures such as efficient irrigation and support for smallholder farmers to enhance agricultural sustainability and resilience. The findings provide new insights into the evolving structure of Egypt’s food security and contribute to indicator-based sustainability analysis. • Adopting modern irrigation techniques develops drought-resistant crops. • Strategic crop cultivation strengthens local production and reduced imports. • Combating Desertification and Urban Encroachment contributes to rehabilitating degraded soils. • Developing Sustainable Agricultural Policies ensures food security and promotes investments in the agricultural sector. • Supporting Small-Scale Farmers improves productivity and reduces the food gap.