The agricultural sector is one of the most important productive sectors in the Egyptian economy. However, the share of the agricultural sector of the investments did not exceed 3% of the national investments in 2011. Therefore, the present study aims to; identify the current status of agricultural investments by studying the fairness of the distribution of national investments among different economic sectors, and estimate of agricultural investments in light of the agricultural development strategy 2030. The results showed that the percentage of investment directed to agricultural sector ranged between 2.91 and 14.21 in years 2010 and 2002 respectively during the period 1995-2011. On the other hand, the public agricultural investment was 2.67 billion L.E (on average) representing 43.89% of the total agricultural investment, while the rest 56.11% was for private agricultural investment. The percentage of justice in the distribution of investments - among commodity sectors- according to the sectoral contribution output criteria in the national economy was about 75.3%.   By investigating of the most important determinants of agricultural investment, the results showed that about 78.3% of the changes in the value of investments in the agricultural sector are interpreted by the interest rate on agricultural loans, the interest rate on bank loans, the rate of inflation, and the exchange rate U.S. $ / pound. On the other hand, workers' wages in pounds/day, the value of agricultural savings LE million, the value of private equity in millions of pounds explain about 96.3% of the total changes in the value of investments in the agricultural sector. In addition, the value of investments variables such as non-agricultural and agricultural loans, public investment, and agricultural output explain about 92.4% of the changes in the value of agricultural investment. The study concludes with a set of important recommendations, including the need to develop and modernize the investment laws and legislation in line with the developments of the local and global changes. Work on a policy commensurate with the investment attributes in the Egyptian agricultural sector such as the disintegration of tenures, the need to restructure the agricultural Banks for Development and Credit to play its important role of credit through the diversification of sources and the establishment of new branches in attractive areas for investment.

Saudi Arabia is its unproductive for vegetable oils in terms of the Kingdom of import and re-export of imported some oils such as corn oil, sunflower oil and olive oil. The quantity and value of exports and imports of these oils are more than a year, however, excluded from that increase the amount of imports of corn oil, the higher the amount of exports of corn oil and olive and palm Also oil  sunflower during the study period, while decreased the amount of exports of sesame oil during the study period also increased the amount of Imports of corn oil, olive, palm and sesame, soy and sunflower increase of about 50.87%, 75.6%, 79.3%, 1141.3%, 50.9% and 611.2%, respectively, during the study period, the study shows the average monthly consumption of the average household Per capita consumption in the research sample was about 0.66, 0.39, 0.48, 1.25, 0.75 per month per liter of corn oil, olive, palm and sesame, soy and sunflower, respectively, and study the average household monthly spending shows that   average household spending in research sample amounted to about 35.2, 39.6, 11.0, 9.2, 30.8 riyals per month for each of corn and olive oil, palm and sesame, soy and sunflower. And study the impact of the level of high oil prices on consumption study sample turned out to be about 61.25% of the study sample affects the families of high oil prices on oil consumption. Estimate function per capita expenditure on oil through the sample research was estimated flexibility expenditure Oils for about 0.21, meaning that individual request oils increase by less than increasing per capita income, as an increase in income by about 10% lead to increased consumer spending on oil by about 2.1%, which means that spending on inelastic oils and oils from the goods necessary for the individual. Assessment of the factors affecting the consumption of oils through the sample research shows that the number of individuals is most influential as the change rate of one individual in the family leads to a change of $ 1.2 riyals in spending on oil while the change rate of one riyal in income leads to a change of $ 0.008 riyals in spending vegetable oils. Also all the different income groups both equally among them in terms of importance in influencing the variation consumption of vegetable oils.

The purpose of this study is to measure the job characteristics of agricultural extension centers' personnel in Assiut governorate using Hackman and Oldham’s Model, and to examine the model fit with the current study. The job diagnostic survey was used as the assessment tool to measure the components of the job characteristics model. Data were collected from all of the agricultural extension centers' personnel in Assiut governorate (84 personnel) by questionnaire. The job characteristics model’s overall fit with the data was evaluated using common model goodness of fit measures estimated by AMOS. The results showed that dealing with others and feedback received the highest ratings; autonomy and skill variety received the lowest ratings from the core job characteristics. The moderate feelings towards the core job dimensions yielded a low motivating potential score. Knowledge of results yielded the highest rating and experienced responsibility yielded the lowest rating from the psychological states. Internal work motivation received the highest rating and growth satisfaction received the lowest rating from the personal/work outcomes. Stimulating work environment yielded the highest rating and pay satisfaction yielded the lowest rating from the moderators of the model. The various indices of overall goodness of fit for the model lent sufficient support for the results to be an acceptable representation of the job characteristics model.

The study aims at researching the possibility of vertical expansion of wheat crop by increasing the total production of the crop from the same cultivated area by re-distributing the area of crop in different zones of the Republic according to its productivity and show the importance of feddan productivity in increasing total production of this crop.  The study showed that the increase in feddan productivity has an effect in increasing the total production, but its impact in increasing feddan revenue and the value of crop production was weak. It has been shown there is a possibility to increase the total production of wheat crop   by maximizing the economic efficiency of productive resources used in cultivating the crop about 2.09 % of the increase in the total production. The increase in the production of the crop estimated by 1118 thousand ardabs that valued at 99 million LE and save about 53 million cubic meters of irrigation water despite the stability of the cultivated area of wheat crop all over the Republic.  The study recommends reconsideration of the current area of wheat crop by expanding the areas of wheat crop in the governorates or the regions characterized by high productivity to achieve the economic efficiency in the use of the production agricultural resources dedicated for wheat planting, so that they can provide areas for wheat in low productive regions to other crops of high productivity in these regions and then relatively reduce wheat gap in Egypt.

Despite the increase in vegetable exports from 329 thousand ton in the year 2000 to about 3156 thousand tons in 2010, and the increase in vegetable local production from 14.8 million tons to 1019.5 million tons during the same period,the deficit in the agricultural trade balance has increased from $ 11 million in the year 2007 to about $ 18 million in 2012.However, it is noticed that exports of strawberries and artichoke the nontraditional crops, have increased from $ 2.2 million in 2002 to about $ 24.9 million in 2012. For this, the study endeavor to give special concerns to the two products particularly for their high average export prices which have tripled compared with potatoes and onions in recent years. The paper revealed that average exports of strawberries have increased to about 6391 ton and to about 32.6 thousand tons during the period 2005-2007 and 2008-2010 respectively. Belgian market absorbed about 19% and 23 % of the quantity exported during the two periods. Saudi Arabia imported about 11.3 % and 21.4 % of Egyptian strawberries. Egypt has a comparative advantage in producing strawberries as it came the second after Spain. Strawberries face strong competition and the penetration index was put at 0.002 and 0.779 during the two studied periods. This also noticed that Egypt has a relative price advantage compared with Holland, France, Belgium and Spain. For artichoke, the study shows a decrease of average exports from 14.8 thousand tons during the first period to about 11.7 thousand tons during the second period. Italian market absorbed about 64 % and 80 % of total artichoke. Egypt has a relative advantage in producing this crop compared with competing countries. Egypt also price advantage in artichoke compared with Spain, France, and Italy. The paper shows that determinants of total global demand of Strawberries as export to Saudi Arabia, relative price of Saudi price and export price of Egypt and Spain. For artichoke, the determinants were production in Italy, France export price in addition to production and price ratio in French market. The first equation in the econometric model shows that per head consumption of strawberries increases by about 0.95 % with the increase in local production. The second equation in the model shows that per head consumption in important imported countries increases with the increase of per head local production, exchange rate, the increase of per head income in Germany. The study shows that Egyptian –European partnership agreement has its positive effect on strawberries exports. The third equation in the model shows that per head local production has increased by about 0.02 % , 0.07 %  and 0.1% with the increase in per head  local consumption in the last year and the decrease each of per head production in Italy and Russia in the last year, respectively. As for artichoke, the study shows in the first equation of the model that average per head consumption has increased by about 1.01 %, 0.01 % and 0.1% with the increase in local production and the decrease each of artichoke exports and Egyptian price, respectively. The second equation in the model shows that per head Egyptian export in important imported countries with the increase by about 1.1% , 1.2% , 1.8% ,2.1% ,4.7% with the increase  each of export prices in France, Italy, Spain, exchange rate and per capita income in Germany , respectively., Per head of Egyptian export of artichoke has Also increased by about 0.97% , 0.2% with the decrease  each of per head consumption in Egypt and export price of Egypt , respectively . The study showed a negative effect of Egyptian European partnership agreement and SPS treaty on artichoke exports. The third equation in the model shows that per head local production has increased by about 0.01 % , 1.8 % , 1.4% and 0.38% with the increase in per head  local production in the last year and the decrease all of per head production in Italy , Russia and Greece in the last year , respectively.

Poverty is great obstacle towards achieving sustainable development and economic growth, and threatens political and social stability and security. Poverty doesn’t mean only lack of necessities to fulfill individuals’ welfare, but deprivation from opportunities and choices. Though, previous governments-prior to 25th of January revolution embarked a program aiming poor people through an integrated bunch of developmental projects to improve poor people’s quality of life. This program consists of two main parts: first the main development program targeting 1000 poorest villages (according to the economic development ministry, 2008) and second part the integrated development program which targets 151 villages. In order to enhance the governmental initiative and improve the agriculture sector in Egypt, the current study aims at identifying the conditions of these poor communities via targeting two main and important categories which are agricultural laborers and farmers either tenants or renters of the agricultural lands from gender perspectives, besides identify- ing their problems and suggestions to overcome these problems and their relationship with the relevant agricultural institutions and private sector, and finally their suggested policies to enhance and attract investments to the agriculture sector in Egypt, which will eventually lead to application of more convenient measurements and policies to improve poor people’s livelihoods. The study’s results revealed the rooted poverty especially among agricultural laborers either male or female, but mostly among females, as most of them lack skills, and not gathered in one entity, besides low wages and seasonality of the agriculture work. Therefore most of them are willing to shift to other work opportunities. As for farmers, they suffer from many problems such as high agricultural input prices, soil deterioration, irrigation problems, and deteriorated drainage networks and finally lack of agriculture extension services. In light of the previous results, if no serious measurements and actions taken by the government and relevant stakeholders to improve the agriculture system as a whole, and improve laborers capabilities, solving irrigation and drainage problems, and accessing markets, then we will lose our capabilities to face the accelerating challenges and imbalance in our food security and moreover trapped in the vicious poverty cycle.

The present study was carried out in the desert valley (wadi) Abu Salam (63 Km.) east of Berber city, RiverNileState, and in the nursery of the Faculty of Agriculture, NileValleyUniversity. The autecology and biology of major desert specie, Handal (Citrullus coloynthsis), were studied. The study area (Wadi Abu Salam) was divided into three sections; upper, middle and lower. The soil was classified as sodic soil and contained a high percentage of clay in the upper section, equal percentage of clay and sand in the middle section and high percentage of sand in the lower section. The distribution of Handal plant in the wadi area was investigated. In the first season, it was only detected in the middle section (0.60-0.72 plants/m2). In the second season, the plant was distributed in the three sections of the wadi (1.46-1.66 plants/m2 for the upper section, 0.27-0.49 plants/m2 for the middle section and 0.3-0.4 plants/m2 for the lower sections).The rate of photosynthesis increased during the first stage of growth to reach its maximum (2.2-2.34 gm/day) during the 8th week from the start of germination, then started to decline till it reached its minimum rate (0.10-0.12 gm/day) at the maturity stage in both seasons. Plant roots growth started at a low rate, then, increased with plant development and became equal after 7 weeks from germination. After that, it decreased until it reached its lowest rate at the stage of maturity.

Recent data shows a declining performance in Egyptian foreign trade of agricultural sector especially by increased the Egyptian agricultural import, which leads to increase the deficit of agricultural trade balance. Agricultural processed proucts is consider one of main source of agricultural trade balance deficit. As a result, it is necessary to study the main factors affecting the Egyptian demand of foreign agricultura processed products to determine the most important factors and determine the possible solution in future. It is clear through the research resealt of the factors affecting the quantity of the Egyptian fats and oil imports, that their main factors are determined by the total production of the Egyptian fats and oil, the imports price and the consumption of oils and fats and in the total exports of USA from oil and fats. Moreover, it is obvious from the factors affecting the demand in Egyptian market that the price of the USA fats and oil is considered the main factor in most of these markets. Moreover the effect of free trade agreement and European Egyptian agreement were significant positive for increase the Egyptian demand of foreign oils and fats. So it is important to use some possible solution for decreasing these positive impact of these fators on Egyptian demand for foreign oils and fats for developing countries without being against the activation of these agreements. It is important to control the national consumption and increase the total production of oil and fats.

The study aimed mainly to explore the customary judgment in the study area from the viewpoint of respondents, identify their personal and social characteristics, and determine barriers faced the local judgment and their suggestions to overcome it. Data were collected from 33 proposed respondents distributed on seven tribes in North Sinai governorate, using questionnaire form during May 2010. Frequencies, percentages, and average were used for data display. Findings show that about one third of respondents are illiterate, 81.8% of them are located in the category of high leadership, and 72.7% of them are highly exposed. The most important criteria of the selection of customary judges are heredity, biography, and social status. The main sanctions imposed by local judges are fines (camels), oath, and compensation. The most important obstacles facing customary judgment are the highly expenses incurred by the judges in the transition to conflect place and communication, with weak financial potential of some judges, and relying on the judicial wisdom and sideburns only without reference to the experienced people, especially in the emerging issues on the Sinai community

Poverty represents one of the development challenges that faces the developing countries in general and Egypt in particular. Though poverty alleviation came on the top priorities of the third millennium goals, as in 2002 about 20.4% of Egyptian people were suffering from objective (absolute) poverty which means that about 13.7 million people are unable to fulfill their basic needs and about 31.8% suffer from subjective poverty. Poverty risk looks ostensibly equal between men and women, but women in general and female headed households suffer more. Therefore small-scale enterprises are one of the mechanisms that lead to poverty alleviation especially among females. This requires coordination among all relevant stakeholders governmental and non- governmental, besides to reform the financial sector and stimulate it to deal with local and financial needs of small-scale enterprises, and to facilitate poor people’s access to appropriate financial services. In light of the previous review, the current study aims at describing poverty status in Egypt and the system that incubate small-scale enterprises and stakeholders as well as beneficiaries and rural women in particular. The study depended on review of literature and secondary data and case studies that reflects one of the civil society organizations experience working in development through providing small-scale enterprises for poor people in rural areas. The case studies covers three governorates: Fayoum, Beni-suef and Menia with a total number of 20 case studies who received livestock production projects with no interest rate, aiming at identifying the problems and solutions to improve the performance of small-scale enterprise providers as well as beneficiaries. The results revealed that successful stories can be attributed to the strong will of beneficiaries to improve their livelihoods, besides the role of the organization in collaborating with local leaderships within the villages, which helped to identify and monitor those beneficiaries. Based on contracting between the provider and beneficiaries to guarantee rights and obligations of both partners, also providing training and follow-up and evaluation played great role in the success of the projects and its sustainability. As for the failures, it was related to poor capabilities of the beneficiaries (widowers) who were affected by various challenges one of which is socialization, lack of skills and health problems.