Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Controlled drainage, improved irrigation methods, and reuse of agricultural fresh drainage water in Egypt (CDIIR)

Pays/Région : Egypte

IATI Identifiant  : XM-DAC-7-PPR-4000004211

Durée : Planned start date : December 1, 2021 // Planned end date : November 30, 2023

Description
The proposed pilot project is to demonstrate controlled drain age, methods to improve sub-surface irrigation and reuse of fresh agricultural drainage water. The advantage of the pro posed system is that the same infrastructure is used for drain ing the field and irrigating the crops. The system regulates the groundwater level such that it can be kept at the level, most suitable for each crop. This will increase the production. The water can also stay longer in the soil for a better uptake (ab sorption) of fertilizers by plants. This will reduce the costs for farmers and less nitrate will accumulate in the environment. Drained water can be brought back in the system and used again for irrigation. Another advantage of the project approach is that the pilots are directly at farm level and not at university compounds. This will link the method to leading farmers and existing projects. In total, 3 projects of 50 feddan (1 feddan = 0.4 hectare), in 3 different governorates will be part of the ap proach.

Objectifs
Objectives of the pilot are :
* 1. Integration of the irrigation and drainage in one sys tem at existing agricultural plots
* 2. Gather data to model and assess system performance, to communicate pilot results and knowledge, and to feed further research (input to programs such as NDP III and WFP)
* 3. Generate support for the system at MWRI and MALR and farmer(s)-groups
* 4. Identify economic incentives that foster farmers to make the shift to the new water-efficient drainage and irrigation practices. For this purpose, it is imperative that cost-benefit analyses are being carried out to vali date the business potential for farmers. It is likely that combined drainage and irrigation leads to : i) higher agricultural yields, ii) yields of better quality, iii) more potential for shifts to cash crops, iv) an improved income model.
* 5. A validation of the business model of improved drain age and irrigation on the farmer level is aspired to open the door to private investments to reach scale. Farmers involvement in the pilot is essential for reach ing their support of the improved business model.
* 6. Develop a feasible and scalable business model for controlled drainage and sub-irrigation fur further im plementation or uptake by NDP III or another pro ject/program (e.g. WFP) in the three specified regions in upper and lower Egypt, or even beyond.
* 7. Develop insight in the quality of irrigation and drainage water, the suitability to re-use and raising awareness.

Budget  : EUR 684.000

Présentation

Objectives / Purpose of activity (pdf)