Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Agricultural Economics

The potato crop in Egypt is a good option to stimulate economic growth, overcome poverty, and achieve food security. Egypt is ranked fifth in exporting potatoes in the world during the period (2013-2018) after it was in the seventh-place during (2007-2012). Potatoes exports{u2019} value 4.5% of the total value of agricultural exports in 2018. Although it is considered a successful crop in export, this crop facing many problems along its production stages, and the loss represents about 19% of the total production. In addition, the economic growth requires a significant increase in the productivity of smallholders and the provision of various forms of support to small farmers, whether financial or technical support to raise the productivity and economic efficiency of farms, which will affect positively on productivity and standard of living. Therefore, the main objective that the researcher focused on is the value chain analysis and used it as a tool in order to identify the constraints and challenges which faces potatoes crop whether in a long{u2019}s chain and among stages, including actors and services providers . Published and unpublished data from various sources and data from interviews were used.The researcher found that one of these constraints that the main element in the potatoes value chain 2farmers3 is the weakest element, and their share of the consumer pound is very weak compared to the intermediaries. Besides the recent liberalization of the exchange rate which affected the costs of production supplies, and small farmers cannot afford it due to their limited capabilities. Above all, poor awareness, agricultural extension, weak infrastructure, and weak coordination between actors, and the absence of their role negatively affected the value chain as a whole

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