(Ahmed H. Rabia ,*, Dalia M. Yacout , Sara F. Shaheen (AEA-Scholars

Ahmed H. Rabia ,*, Dalia M. Yacout , Sara F. Shaheen 

Association of Egyptian-American Scholars

Abstract

Potato is the most important export vegetable crop in Egypt and the second most important vegetable crop after tomato in economic value. Egypt is one of the top 20 producers of potato worldwide and the second largest producer and exporter of potatoes in Africa after Algeria. About 20% of total area devoted for vegetable production is cultivated with potato. Nowadays, potato cultivation is facing several challenges to maintain and improve production, from the point of view of both quality and quantity. In fact there are many factors that can negatively affect this cultivation such as environmental factors, mainly linked to climate change. This demands a better comprehension of the relationship between climate (specially the extreme climatic events) and critical stages of potato cultivation

Moreover; socio-economic factors have affected potato production as well. Where the last decade was increasingly characterized by a strong competition for land between urbanization and extensive crop systems, such as potato cultivation. All these factors can bring significant drop in potato production and have negative socio-economic and environmental impacts all over the country. As for Egypt, although studies agreed that the Nile Delta is one of the vulnerability areas subjected to climate change impacts and expanding urbanization; to date no similar studies were conducted addressing this issue in Egypt. As a result, there is an increasing necessity to study the vulnerability of potato cultivation to climate change impacts and to identify the main driving factors that can influence the cultivation processes and finally to promote conservation and adaptation strategies specific for different targeted areas. This work aims to assess the potential impacts of climate change on potato production in Egypt and assist in providing sustainable conservation and adaptation strategies. This will be achieved by bringing together the scientific community, leader potato producers, small farmers and decision makers through a community based approach to adapting to climate change. Impacts of climate change on potato yield, cultivation practices and diseases resistance will be investigated. Changes in temperature, precipitation, wind speed and future potato production will be projected from 2015 to 2030 for the selected area based on historical data analysis. Finally, best practices for reducing the identified negative impacts will be recognized based on a community approach by interaction with potato producers and farmers. The study results and findings will assist decision-makers and stakeholders including farmers and potato producers in adapting proper practices for sustainable potato production under climate change conditions for both local consumption and exportation.

This article was published in 3alamaltanmya

sponsored by Future Builders International Academy

Led by Dr.Maha Fouad