Use of groundwater for irrigation in the Nile valley

The arable area of Egypt is confined to the Nile Valley and Delta. In order to provide for the needs of the rapidly increasing population and future agricultural requirements, all water resources in the area must be efficiently used. In the Nile Valley this can be achieved by extracting groundwater for irrigation and drainage. 1500 million m³ of groundwater are planned to be withdrawn from the Nile Valley aquifer. An interdisciplinary study was carried out in a pilot area to determine the impact of groundwater extraction and use in irrigating old lands. Results indicate that involvement of the farmers is very important and that groundwater extractions, if properly designed, are technically feasible and economically attractive.