Alban Baladna

In Egypt, 89% of the 614,000 dairy farmers have fewer than five cows, while supplying around 80% of the country’s milk production.  Yet they remain among the most vulnerable actors in the dairy value chain. Most own just two or three cows and farm less than one hectare of land.

They face a wide range of challenges. Environmental pressures -, such as rising temperatures, water scarcity, and soil degradation -, affect the health of livestock and the availability of quality forage. Poor on-farm water management and rising feed prices further limit productivity and increase costs. These factors contribute to high carbon intensity due to low milk yields.

At the same time, social and economic barriers restrict smallholders’ capacity to improve their livelihoods. Around 30% of the rural population lives below the poverty line. Access to affordable credit, veterinary services, technical training, and reliable markets is limited. Women, who play a central role in dairy farming, face additional barriers — from limited land ownership (only 2% own land) to a heavy burden of unpaid care work.

These challenges reduce farmers’ ability to increase productivity, access higher-value markets, and secure stable incomes.