Approaches to appropriate agricultural technology in Egypt; a special case study evaluation

This paper compares successful AAT projects in Turkey and Pakistan with ongoing efforts in Egypt, particularly the AID-funded Small Scale Agricultural Activities Project (SSAA), identifying points of commonality and developing a generalized approach to AAT. Successful projects had six points in common: (1) an agricultural need was identified; (2) an AAT was developed to meet that need; (3) a prototype was developed/adapted to the technical capabilities of local manufacturers; (4) the product was field tested; (5) the prototype was modified after trials; and (6) the product was extended to manufacturers and end-users. The main agricultural needs in Egypt were identified as: (1) mechanization with tractors, appropriate tractor attachments, and farm implements; (2) cottage and agro-industries (e.g., food processing); and (3) alternative energy technologies using solar, wind, and biogas power. AAT can only be implemented if the Government of Egypt, Western donors, and recipient farmers have a positive attitude towards new technologies and are given adequate research and development (R&D) assistance, suitable manufacturing conditions, and extension links between the manufacturers and the final users. Egyptian R&D institutions and manufacturing workshops can, with additional funding, be developed through training programs, better equipment, and technical assistance. However, Egyptian extension links are almost non-existent and will require coordination between banks, the Ministry of Agriculture, donors, R&D institutes, and local areas. The SSAA, designed to introduce AAT in Egypt, utilizes small shops and intensive on-site testing. To date, no SSAA technologies are in use in rural areas nor are training programs geared toward manufacturers and end-users. However, the SSAA, through the provision of grants and technical assistance, could be used for extension activities and to establish needed links between the development and implementation of AAT in Egypt.