AI is increasingly being used to improve farm management
Artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies are increasingly being used to improve livestock, poultry, and fisheries production in Egypt, as the government and farmers develop ways to enhance the country’s food security for its growing population, according to experts at a conference organised by the Agricultural Research Centre on sustainable development in Cairo.
Honorary president of the conference and expert in the field of poultry production Mona Mehrez said the application of advanced technology has increased the production of animal protein in Egypt.
“The progress achieved in the poultry and fisheries sectors is evident in the increase in the per capita consumption of eggs, milk, and animal protein,” Mehrez said, adding that poultry production has risen from 1.1 to 1.6 billion birds.
Average annual per capita meat consumption has increased from 17 to 23 kg, while fish consumption has risen from 18 to 20 kg per person. These figures are now in line with international benchmarks.
A kg of veal currently sells for LE465 to LE495, chicken for LE70 to LE75, and tilapia fish for LE73 to LE79, also underscoring the need to increase supply to help to lower prices.
Mohamed Faisal, a professor of aquatic animal medicine at Michigan State University in the US, introduced conference participants to the One Health approach to farming and fisheries, describing it as an integrated, collaborative framework that recognises the close interconnection between people, animals, plants, and the environment.
“The health of every living organism on the planet is interconnected,” Faisal said, noting that the world continues to face diseases and citing Ebola as an example of a disease that has existed for centuries but continues to resurface. He also pointed to diseases responsible for the decline of mangrove forests, the deaths of more than one million fish in Australia, and cancers that affect fish.
“The first step in combating these diseases is to identify their causes,” he said.
To illustrate the One Health approach, Faisal cited the US response to the invasive zebra mussel that attaches itself to aquatic animals, plants, and water infrastructure, including pipes, causing significant environmental and economic damage.
Scientists have used genetic research to identify the adhesive substance that enables the mussels to cling to surfaces, helping to develop ways to control infestations. The research also led to the discovery of a powerful natural adhesive capable of bonding underwater with potential industrial and medical applications.
The conference also addressed the growing role of AI in agriculture and livestock production. Wael Badawi, a professor of AI at the Egyptian Russian University, said AI is increasingly being used to improve farm management and boost productivity.
“AI enables farmers to monitor waste, improve the sustainability of farm operations, and enhance animal health,” Badawi said.
It also allows for the collection, analysis, and documentation of data on animals on a daily basis, helping farmers detect health problems early, improve breeding practices, and make informed management decisions.
AI can now monitor the movement and health of farm chickens, Badawy said, adding that the wider application of AI in Egyptian farms will lead to greater productivity in the future.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 August, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
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