Enhancing Water Productivity by Improving On-Farm Irrigation Management in Minya and Fayoum, Egypt

ABOUT US

The productivity and sustainability of water use in agriculture in Egypt depend on efficient water use, at both the farm and basin levels. It is widely agreed that technical and political efforts to improve water use efficiency in irrigated areas are top priorities to mitigate water scarcity in the country. The most effective way to improve use efficiency of irrigation water is to provide better solutions which show farmers how to optimize distribution uniformity and application efficiency.

Period of Implementation

Nov 27, 2017 - Jul 31, 2020

Total Budget

USD 1,421,576.93

Project team

Richard Solomon

ICARDA

Richard Solomon is a 2019-2020 CASA fellow at the Ameri... see more

Riham Mohamed Hafez

ICARDA

I have 18 years of diversified work experience in different... see more

Atef Swelam

ICARDA

Dr. Atef Swelam is a senior scientist with expertise in agri... see more

Partners

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA

Cairo University - CU Egypt

Donors

European Union, European Commission - EU-EC

OUR IMPACT

Goals

To improve sustainably the livelihoods of resource-poor rural communities in Minya and Fayoum governorates in Egypt, by introducing open-source solutions for enhanced water productivity.

Objectives

To improve the productivity of small scale-farming systems through more effective and efficient use of water and land resources; To improve on-farm income by scaling out the improved irrigation and agricultural practices; To develop and disseminate innovative and cost-effective integrated packages at field level that increase agricultural water productivity.

Problems and Needs Analysis

Land fragmentation; Lack of appropriate GAPs at field level; Inequitable of water distribution along meskas and marwas; Inefficient and outdated extension systems and advisory services; Low adoption of new/good practices; Low investment in agriculture sector/education; Water quantity and quality decrease; Poor water, land and fertilizers management; Poor engagement and involvement of community in introduced new agricultural activities/interventions.

Intervention Strategy(ies)

Assist water policy planners and managers to improve water delivery though better information on water demand; Help farmers improve on-farm irrigation efficiency by providing crop water use information and the necessary skills, tools and capacities to undertake this work; Introduce new biophysical and institutional interventions that will improve on-farm water management by saving irrigation water by at least 20%, increase crop yield by at least 25%, reduce farming cost by at least 20% and increase water productivity by at least 50%. Introduce and enhance adoption of good practices and affordable technologies, including rehabilitation and improvement of marwas (U-section), open field drains maintenance, laser land leveling, soil quality improvement, mechanized raised-bed technology, gypsum application, improved seeds and varieties, farmer training and other in-field activities.

Impact Pathway

The project, at all levels of its activities, will adopt a participatory approach, starting by conducting community focus group discussions and evaluations to identify the gaps and needs of the community. Dissemination and scaling modalities will be designed in a way that ensures interactive communication and feedback between the targeted groups and the services provider. The productivity of the farming system improved at a small-scale level will result in a sustainable improvement of the livelihoods of the most marginalized and rural communities in Minya and Fayoum governorates. The adoption of the innovative and cost-effective integrated package at the field level will increase agricultural water productivity, thereby manifesting benefits at social, economic and environmental level.

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