Dairy Marketing System Performance in Egypt

The local supply of milk in Egypt represents quantities available for domestic consumption, and consists of local production and dairy imports minus exports, plus the change in inventory, which is the difference between stock in the previous year and in the this year. The dairy products include a pattern of several products for consumption, which requires analysis of the supply as raw milk equivalent. The most difficult component of the domestic supply to estimate is the production as it originates from several types of livestock, which are cattle, Buffalo, sheep and goats. Each type has its own Specific technical variables (productive and reproductive traits). Therefore, the study allocated a section for estimating production. The traditional small farmers are still the main source of milk suppliers in Egyptian market, as well as the main breeders. The other two production systems are the stall herds within the surrounding belt of major or big cities, compose mainly of milking Buffalo, and the limited number of specialized commercial farms that bred Dairy Buffalo, foreign breeds cattle, particularly "Holstein Breed" or both breeds, (Fitch and Soliman, 1983). The study followed the commodity approach of marketing studies. It spreads the analysis and appraisal of the dairy marketing system to cover the marketing functions, marketing institutions, and the value chain of the marketing stages (Soliman, 2008). Therefore, this approach serves also the basic requirements of the value chain analysis (VCA)

Techno-Economic Factors Affecting Genetic Investment in Dairy Cattle in Egypt

Vertical expansion in Egyptian livestock is the only feasible approach for development, particularly, milk production. This is due to lack of natural range, enough feed supply and competition between food production and feed production in using the very limited water resources supply and irrigated agricultural land in Egypt. In addition, Egypt has a comparative advantage in milk production. However, the milk yield of the domestic cattle is still much below the world average. Vertical expansion means to raise the productivity, via genetic investment. The study used a field sample survey data to apply a designed mathematical investment flow model up to fifth calving of the dam's daughter, to test the impact of a set of technical and economic factors on the predicted economic rate of return (ERR) of the genetic improvement via an artificial insemination (A.I) program of the domestic dairy cattle. The results showed that (ERR) at the most probable level of both economic and productive variables was 23.3%, when A.I. of a sire's semen with PDM around 865 Kg of mill was applied, which was much higher than the average interest rate in Egyptian market (14%) and the inflation rate in milk price (11%). If the genetic improvement faced 10% increase in the number of services for conception, age at first calving and calving interval, the ERR decreased by 6%. An increase in the feed costs by 10% regressed the ERR by 7%. A 10% increase in the number of service for conception, age at first calving and the calving interval decreased the ERR by 3.1%, 2% and 1.1%, respectively. Such model is suitable for assessment of the feasibility of genetic improvement programs in developing countrie

National agro-food policies in Jordan

Jordan is divided into three main geographic areas with different climate: the Jordan Valley, the Highlands, and the Eastern Desert. The cultivated area is equivalent to 3.4% of the total land, mostly in the Jordan Valley. Although intensive irrigation and modernization processes are available, the local agriculture has to cope with the limited water resources. The contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP is 3.8% in 2000 and currently it employs 5.7% of the workforce in Jordan. About 80% of local agricultural production consists of fruits, vegetables, and citrus. These constitute 70% of agricultural exports, where agricultural exports (mainly to the Gulf markets) are 10% of Jordan’s total export. The meat production in Jordan is limited, though the production of poultry is more active. The total national poultry production is about 120‐140000 tons per year, and it accounts for a small share in the region’s market. However, imported poultry from Brazil and Thailand contributes progressively in reducing the domestic production. The meat processing industry is active and it has specialized in frozen processed meat products, these products are exported to the neighboring countries. The major vegetables grown locally are tomatoes (representing about 31% of total production), potatoes (about 10%), and cucumber (about 9%). Among the fruit tree products, olives represent the most important production (see the special brief). As shown in figure 2, most importantly Jordan exports, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and curettes, while it mainly imports grain (wheat and barley). The Jordanian Government has signed a bilateral agreement with Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey, in order to import/export according to their respective needs. This sub‐sector covers the industry, which processes fruits and vegetables, namely tomatoes by companies specialized mainly in producing processing tomatoes and cooked vegetable products. Processed tomato is a large component of Jordan’s agro‐food sector. The industry produces a wide range of products coming from the local tomato crops (peeled tomatoes in cans, tomatoes cubes in cans, tomatoes concentrate, triple concentrate, ketchup, etc.). There are also other companies, which use Jordanian raw materials in the processing of ready cooked meals. There is scope for producing freeze and de‐hydrated dried fruits and vegetables, right now most of the freeze products are imported from Central and Eastern Europe. Dairy products With an output of 165 000 tons of fresh milk, Jordan produces 35 liters per capita while the domestic milk consumption is equivalent to 50 liters per capita. The country imports about 8000 tons of powder milk each year. Dairy products are generally yogurt and cheese (Halloumi type). Milk in bottles or pack is available on the local market but it is highly priced as pasteurized milk. Bakery products this sub‐sector, which includes mills, cereals and breads, is very dynamic and scattered, in fact it accounts for the greatest number of companies in the local food production. Statistics from Jordan Investment Board indicate that the grain milling firms represent 20 – 40% of total investments in the food sector. Cocoa, chocolate, and sugar product this sub‐sector is a traditional one in the Arab world, with all its industries representing the ethnic production (Halawa). The companies export to their traditional Arab and Gulf countries’ market and even to the US, for an amount of 2.184 million JD (15% of domestic production. Microfinance has not served the poorest of the poor, that is, the individuals and households who require a loan the most. The very poor typically are unable to obtain any formal loans, as they do not possess collateral, nor can they join a borrowing group. Even with moderate improvements, interest rates on micro‐finance loans are still excessive, as opposed to commercial banks. Rates are also excessive, compared to the return on investment rates of projects typically found in rural areas, such as trading and husbandry. This is understandable, as no microfinance institution declared that it is in their mission statements to serve the poorest of the poor. Thus, it is imperative that stakeholders find other methods of poverty alleviation, such as grants, subsidies and other services production. Though the role of cooperative societies in development of MSMEs in Jordan remains small, this is not because of limited number of them and volunteer activity in the country. There are over 1,000 cooperative societies are registered, yet only 25% of them, mostly in rural areas, indicate such an aim. For example, the Jordan Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) provides services in supporting MSMEs start up and growth

Feasibility of Artificial Insemination Network for Egyptian Buffalo Development

Literature reviews confirmed that Egypt has a comparative advantage in milk production rather than red meat production, particularly from buffalo. Furthermore, water resources are becoming increasingly scarce, limiting horizontal expansion in fodder acreage. Furthermore, there is fierce competition between food and feed demand on available agricultural land resources. As a result, horizontal expansion in dairy buffalo stock would be impossible. As a result, the only option for buffalo development in Egypt is vertical expansion through increased milk yield to meet the current deficit in domestic milk production. The Egyptian consumer prefers buffalo milk for its color taste and high content of total solids, particularly fat. Buffalo milk is more expensive than cow milk, and its production is increasing faster than cow milk production. The proposed genetic improvement of buffalo milk yield is being accelerated using an artificial insemination (AI) network. A recent study [1], provided evidence that the return of genetic investment in dairy buffalo would be feasible, (IRR = 19.71%) However, according to official statistics, Egypt has only two AI-centers for buffalo selected buffalo sires, serving four AI-units. As a result, the goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of establishing an AI-network in Egypt by estimating (NPV, IRR, and payback period) and its sensitivity to unfavorable changes that the proposed program may face. The study used a field survey data collected from an AI-unit of the buffaloes’ semen and an AI-Center for raising buffalo sires in Nile Delta. The findings showed that, while the Egyptian economy's average discount rate was 17.5 %, the estimated IRR for one AI-unit was around 35 % under the most likely scenario. A 10% decrease in semen price and a 10% increase in insemination costs would result in IRRs of approximately 28% and 31%, respectively. Under the most likely conditions, the estimated IRR for the AI-center was around 31%. 10% Decrease in Semen Price, and 10% increase in feed costs or in Sire’s price would result in 26%, 30% or 28% respectively. The lowest sale price of semen dose is thus the most effective variable on the IRR. Unfavorable changes, on the other hand, would keep investments with high incentives in establishing a feasible AI-Network for rapidly increasing the dairy buffalo milk yield

A review of The National and International Agro‐Food Policies and Institutions in Egypt

The study presents an analytical profile for the performance and policies of the agro‐food sector in the Egyptian economy and rural society, the agro‐food industry, the agro‐food production and consumption, the agricultural sector Structure and policies. In addition, the study concerned the agro‐food trade performance and policies

A review of The National and International Agro‐Food Policies and Institutions in Egypt

The study presents an analytical profile for the performance and policies of the agro‐food sector in the Egyptian economy and rural society, the agro‐food industry, the agro‐food production and consumption, the agricultural sector Structure and policies. In addition, the study concerned the agro‐food trade performance and policies

A review of the national and international agro-food policies and institutions in the Mediterranean Region

This synthesized report aims at providing a comparative view of agricultural sectors and policies in the MPC, based on the individual country reports and expanding the gathered information. It offers an overall depiction of the whole MPC region under investigation and a comparative perspective, along with a summary of the key country characteristics. More in-depth, country-specific information should be sought within the country reports. In this sense, this report should be examined together with the individual country reports from which, country-related information have been extracted. References to the country reports are omitted for simplicity reasons, as it is defined that they constitute the basis of this report. In addition, and for the same reason, all references made within the country reports have been also omitted. Detailed reference sources can be found within the country reports. Any reference to additional sources, not referred to in the country reports, is explicitly mentioned. In Annex II, following the Mediterranean Partner Countries’ reports, a report entitled “Euro- Mediterranean policy and other ongoing processes and their main impact on Mediterranean Partner Countries” is given, in which the relations between the EU and the MPC under the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership (i.e. Barcelona process) are analysed

Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis and its aetiologies, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Although meningitis is largely preventable, it still causes hundreds of thousands of deaths globally each year. WHO set ambitious goals to reduce meningitis cases by 2030, and assessing trends in the global meningitis burden can help track progress and identify gaps in achieving these goals. Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we aimed to assess incident cases and deaths due to acute infectious meningitis by aetiology and age from 1990 to 2019, for 204 countries and territories. Methods We modelled meningitis mortality using vital registration, verbal autopsy, sample-based vital registration, and mortality surveillance data. Meningitis morbidity was modelled with a Bayesian compartmental model, using data from the published literature identified by a systematic review, as well as surveillance data, inpatient hospital admissions, health insurance claims, and cause-specific meningitis mortality estimates. For aetiology estimation, data from multiple causes of death, vital registration, hospital discharge, microbial laboratory, and literature studies were analysed by use of a network analysis model to estimate the proportion of meningitis deaths and cases attributable to the following aetiologies: Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, and a residual other pathogen category. Findings In 2019, there were an estimated 236 000 deaths (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 204 000–277 000) and 2·51 million (2·11–2·99) incident cases due to meningitis globally. The burden was greatest in children younger than 5 years, with 112 000 deaths (87 400–145 000) and 1·28 million incident cases (0·947–1·71) in 2019. Age-standardised mortality rates decreased from 7·5 (6·6–8·4) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 3·3 (2·8–3·9) per 100 000 population in 2019. The highest proportion of total all-age meningitis deaths in 2019 was attributable to S pneumoniae (18·1% [17·1–19·2]), followed by N meningitidis (13·6% [12·7–14·4]) and K pneumoniae (12·2% [10·2–14·3]). Between 1990 and 2019, H influenzae showed the largest reduction in the number of deaths among children younger than 5 years (76·5% [69·5–81·8]), followed by N meningitidis (72·3% [64·4–78·5]) and viruses (58·2% [47·1–67·3]). Interpretation Substantial progress has been made in reducing meningitis mortality over the past three decades. However, more meningitis-related deaths might be prevented by quickly scaling up immunisation and expanding access to health services. Further reduction in the global meningitis burden should be possible through low-cost multivalent vaccines, increased access to accurate and rapid diagnostic assays, enhanced surveillance, and early treatment.publishedVersio