More than 90 percent of Egypt consists of desert. Agriculture is the predominant industry, with vegetation concentrated along the Nile River Basin. About 40 percent of the labor force grows crops or raises livestock. Arable land has been expanded through major irrigation initiatives, but a growing population is straining the country’s limited water resources.
Improved on-farm water management practices aimed at conserving water and increasing agricultural yields in an environmentally sustainable manner are essential and well recognized by the Government of Egypt. To date, the focus has been on improving the water delivery system down to the mesqua level, including operation, maintenance and management. Much work remains to be done at the farm level to control water application to meet crop needs and leaching requirements without unnecessary losses.
Objectives
Promote a farmer-level institutional framework for improved water use on large-scale farms in Egypt, using conventional irrigation of old lands of the delta. Five key initiatives were identified: i) help the Ministry strengthen its skills in providing training to female extension agents and the private sector in irrigation agronomy and soil enhancement; ii) improve farm-level irrigation practices by upgrading information on crop water requirements, field layout, controlling water application and evaluating new technologies; iii) improve soil through testing, sub-soiling, gypsum application and improved surface drainage; iv) implement a waste management system to collect sewage and sullage; and v) ensure participation of residents of the project areas and making a special effort to treat women as equal partners in the process of sustainable development.
Outputs
Training on water management was provided to government trainers, extensionists and farmers. On-farm water-use efficiency was improved through the upgrading of head and in-field ditches, land leveling and controlled water application on a large scale. Information on crop water requirements was refined and applied. Soil and water pollution was reduced through optimized use of agrochemicals and waste.
Members of the community and farmers were involved in decision-making related to water management, O&M and cost-recovery mechanisms. Institutional strengthening of the Ministry of Agriculture and Faculties of Agriculture enabled increased involvement in farm water management.
More than 90 percent of Egypt consists of desert. Agriculture is the predominant industry, with vegetation concentrated along the Nile River Basin. About 40 percent of the labor force grows crops or raises livestock. Arable land has been expanded through major irrigation initiatives, but a growing population is straining the country’s limited water resources.
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