Abstract

Water plays a crucial role in the economic development of countries worldwide. Egypt is a developing country facing serious challenges for achieving sustainable development because of water scarcity problems especially, within the agricultural sector. Water scarcity is limiting the agricultural development, threatening sustainability of land and water resources and increasing water management problems. Therefore, water scarcity is imposing constraints on the country’s economic growth, food security and economic development of the country. To meet the increasing demand on food and water, the government has been adopting strategies for improving water use and water management especially in the agricultural sector. This study evaluated the impact of water scarcity on economic growth and sustainable development in Egypt by empirically analyzing the economic productivity, sustainability and management of land and water resources. The study identified and analyzed the impact of water scarcity within the agricultural sector, where the majority of water resources are allocated. The study found that during the winter season the economic productivity of land and water resources is within average. However, the land productivity is not achieving sufficient growth therefore, could be imposing threats on food security. Based on evaluating water quality indicators the study found that the irrigation water does not meet the sustainability measurements and could affect the long run productivity and sustainability of land and water resources. Based on evaluating water stress and undertaking location comparative analysis the study found that there is inequity between the different locations due to inefficient use and management of water resources. However, during the winter season and due to the reuse of drainage water the plants do not suffer from water stress. Furthermore, this study evaluated the impact of the irrigation improvement projects on water scarcity and sustainable development based on testing the economic productivity, sustainability and management of land and water resources. Based on the results obtained in this research the study concluded that the irrigation improvement projects still did not achieve its main goals of increasing agricultural production, improving the long run sustainability of irrigation and improve water use and management in the agricultural sector.

Department

Economics Department

Degree Name

MA in Economics

Graduation Date

2-1-2016

Submission Date

July 2016

First Advisor

Beshai, Adel A.

Committee Member 1

Makary, Samir

Committee Member 2

Bouaddi, Mohamed

Extent

94 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Not necessary for this item

Comments

The completion of this thesis would not have been possible if it wasn’t for my caring supervisor Professor Adel Beshai. It has been an honor to be his student and I have benefited greatly from his knowledge and support. I also want to thank my readers Professors Samir Makary and Mohamed Bouaddi. Thank you for making it possible for me to master my topic, for teaching me and for your time and effort. It is truly an honor to have such great professors taking part of this research. I owe great gratitude to Professor Ahmed Kamaly for helping me take the right path and cross over from writing a course paper to starting a thesis topic. Thank you for your guidance, patience and support. I am in debited to thank every great professor I had the chance to be their student. Thank you for enlightening me. I want to thank Mrs. Amira Bishara, Mrs. Nancy and Mrs. Heba Halim for all the help, assistance and advising they granted. I have found my passion in economics thanks to my first undergraduate economics professor, Professor Hala El Hadidy. Thanks to my family, friends and work colleagues and superiors for giving me the strength to get where I am and motivating me to follow my dreams.

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