A Study On The Networked Governance Of Agricultural Water In Egypt And Implications

Water is the source of life,the key to production and the foundation of ecology.Since the Pharaonic period,Egypt has made great efforts in the development,utilization and protection of water resources in agriculture.With the spread of the "water crisis",the Egyptian government actively introduced a networked governance model into agricultural water management at the beginning of this century,aiming to alleviate the water crisis and improve governance capacity.Under the influence of multiple factors,such as the Egyptian culture and history,the Egyptian agricultural water governance gradually formed a multifaceted governance system led by government departments represented by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation,with the active participation of water users’ associations and farmers in all provinces and municipalities.The networked governance of agricultural water use emphasizes collaboration among multiple participants,which expands the scope of governance responsibilities on the one hand and improves the level of governance on the other.However,the lack of synergy and cooperation among multiple governance participants has seriously affected the improvement of governance level.The dysfunctional connection and traditional political "inertia" have led to a lack of mutual trust among governance actors.In addition,the inherent contradictions in the logic of property rights related to agricultural water use,the poor access of water users’ associations and farmers to governance,and the low density coupling of traditional national culture and modern networked governance have created a dilemma in agricultural water governance in Egypt.This dissertation uses literature and questionnaire data to construct an analytical framework of the nodal connection mechanism for the participation of multiple subjects in agricultural water use in Egypt using networked governance theory,analyze the effectiveness and problems of the networked governance of agricultural water use in Egypt from an national culture perspective,consider the benefits and drawbacks of the networked governance model in the embedding of agricultural water use governance in Egypt,and propose a solution to the dilemma of the nodal connection of multiple subjects in agricultural water use governance in Egypt.It is proposed that to solve the dilemma of disorderly connection of multiple subjects in agricultural water governance in Egypt,the principles of empowerment,coordination and mutual trust should be adopted to coordinate agricultural water governance.First,we should clarify the organizational goals,operational institutions,laws and regulations,and authority of agricultural water governance,and prevent the emergence of multiple governance dilemmas of "nine dragons ruling water".Second,agricultural water use governance cannot be separated from the macro control of the government,nor can it be separated from the active support of the organizations represented by enterprises and water users’ associations,nor can it be separated from the active participation of the majority of farmers.Third,the key to the construction of networked governance of agricultural water use is to strengthen communication and connection among multiple subjects,reinforce the relationship of trust between them,and form a stable basis for cooperation.Through the study of Egypt’s networked agricultural water governance practices,we summarize the lessons learned from the experience and make a study of China’s specific situation,with a view to proposing recommendations for optimizing agricultural water governance in China.The effectiveness of agricultural water governance in Egypt is the lifeblood of national food security in Egypt.It is important to examine the practice of agricultural water governance in Egypt based on an national culture perspective,to properly coordinate the interests of various ethnic groups,and to promote communal harmony and cooperation.It is hoped that this thesis will further promote the study of social governance within Middle Eastern countries,and will have positive implications for the improvement of agricultural water governance in Egypt.