An Integrated Agriculture Aquaculture - IAA research study on the Egyptian desert and arid zone was carried out by the WorldFish and conducted as part the CGIAR Initiative from Fragility to Resilience in Central and West Asia and North Africa (F2R-CWANA) during December 2022 to February 2023. The study methodology included desk review of secondary data, stockholder meeting, field visits to farmers, focus group discussions and stockholder workshop. The study identified 18 of farms adopting IAA in the following six governorates (Marssa-Matrouh , Beni-Sweif , Menia , Beheira, A lexandria and Giza). Farmed fish in IAA visited are (Go Green, Sofec , Capital, El-Janna Masr, Arzaaq , Alam El-Awel , Abdelmonem Omran , Anba Anthony Monastery , Korlos , Reda Ahmed Mohamed, Moulazem Helal Ibrahim, Saoudi Aly Mohamed, Abou Zaeid El-Sayed , El-Keram El-Alamiaa , Agromar , Kiwa , El Zeini and Nature Works Aquaponic). IAA is offering an excellent opportunity to optimizing use of water resources , increase fish production, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in crop farming and reduce the impact of aquaculture on sour rending environment. The current assessment has provided in-depth analysis of the IAA system in Egypt ( map IAA systems; identify stakeholders; knowledge gaps and opportunities for the development). A SWOT analysis conducted to identify IAA strengths , weakens, opportunities and threats. The SWOT results have concluded: IAA Strengths ( the Government support to IAA in new lands by issuing laws and decrees allowing the IAA concept). IAA Weaknesses (l ack of knowledge on importance of IAA systems; lack of IAA exploitation investment map; yearly seasonality of aquaculture production ; limited data for aquacultural production in IAA’s system ; limited knowledge on best practice of IAA farms ; h igh production cost and limited lack of access to credit ). IAA Opportunities (increasing demand for fish consumption; generate employment opportunities in rural areas; use of untapped water sources for aquaculture and increment of fresh fish to cover the need of fish processing factories). IAA Threats ( IAA farmers needs to get permits from more than one ministry; remoteness of IAA farms from hatchery area increases cost of seed supply; high fish feed prices and h igh operational costs; potential negative environmental impact with excess use of water; l ack of sufficient funding to support the infrastructure of aquaculture value chain and technology know-how transfer prices). I nnovation is an important approach for the sustainable development of IAA in the Egyptian ecosystem for different stakeholders . Suggested innovations are: use of Information Communication Technology – ICT; practice the S mart Sensing for O ptimum use of Resources - SSOR; develop the low cost water recycling in fish farm components to address the seasonal variation crop irrigation requirements to improve water use efficiency; s upport the p roduct network marketing; e stablish field demonstrations of IAA farms for better understanding of the systemic management and support the IAA’s farmers c apacity buildings in applied research/training/facilitating interactions/knowledge exchange).
Key words
Egypt, Aquaculture, desert farming, Integration, tilapia.