STEPS TAKEN TO IMPROVE IRRIGATION FARMING IN EGYPT

More than 90% of Egypt is desert which is divided into two by the Nile River. The Nile valley and delta are the main centers of settlement and cultivation. Less than 10% of Egypt’s land area is suitable for cultivation and hence the need for irrigation.

The following are steps taken to improve irrigation farming in Egypt

• construction of water reservoir to supply water for irrigation
• reclaiming of dry land for crop farming to increase production
• intensive cultivation to increase the yield and thus offset the high cost of production
• controlling weeds using herbicides and thus increasing the farm yield

• strengthening of cooperatives to easily acquire loans to expand farms
• hiring labor during the peak period such as harvesting
• increasing research into better yielding, fast maturing and disease resistance varieties
• carrying out market research to widen the export market for farm output

• constant dredging of canals to allow efficient flow of water for irrigation
• specialization of farming activities and thus increase in the quality of output
• practicing mixed farming to encourage interdependence between crop and livestock
• extension of canals and aqueducts to transfer water to the farms

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