Sustainability transitions in the Egyptian agri-food system: Analysis of organic agriculture niche through the lens of the Multi-Level Perspective on socio-technical transitions
The agri-food sector plays a significant socio-economic role in Egypt; it represents the main source of income for about 40% of the population. The deterioration of the socio-economic and environmental indicators is increasing pressure on the Egyptian agri-food system (EAFS) to move towards sustainability. The present thesis tackles the dynamics of transition towards sustainability in the EAFS using organic agriculture as a case study. The analysis was performed through the lens of the Multi-Level Perspective on socio-technical transitions (MLP; niche, socio-technical regime, and socio-technical landscape). Data were collected through a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with different Egyptian stakeholders. The results show that organic farming is a prominent, yet slow-growing niche in Egypt, which accounts for 2.82% of the total agricultural land.
[...]
Therefore, there is no genuine transition from the current dual agri-food regime (cf. traditional and intensive agriculture). However, the landscape factors (e.g. climate change, water scarcity, health problems, social unrest) are expected to put pressure on the agri-food regime and create opportunities for organic agriculture niche. Evidence shows that the ongoing transition towards organic, sustainable agri-food system might be lengthy and slow, and political support results essential for the breakthrough and takeoff of organics in the country.
