Challenges in modernizing the subsurface drainage systems in Egypt
After completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970, the Egyptian government undertook an ambitious programme to install drainage on all of Egypt’s agricultural lands (approx. 2.7 Mha). In the decades that followed, subsurface drainage was implemented on 2.5 Mha, and drainage practices evolved from manua...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Agricultural Water Management |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377423003499 |
| _version_ | 1797706860057329664 |
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| author | Henk Ritzema Safwat Abdel-Dayem Hussein El-Atfy Magdy Rashad Nasralla Hanny Saad Shaheen |
| author_facet | Henk Ritzema Safwat Abdel-Dayem Hussein El-Atfy Magdy Rashad Nasralla Hanny Saad Shaheen |
| author_sort | Henk Ritzema |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | After completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970, the Egyptian government undertook an ambitious programme to install drainage on all of Egypt’s agricultural lands (approx. 2.7 Mha). In the decades that followed, subsurface drainage was implemented on 2.5 Mha, and drainage practices evolved from manual to large-scale and mechanized. Currently, new or rehabilitated systems are being installed on some 25,000 ha each year. However, modernization is needed to address high maintenance costs, extend the less-than-expected lifespan of the subsurface pipe systems and adapt to ongoing changes in climate and land use, such as shifting cropping patterns and irrigation practices. This paper discusses challenges in modernizing these subsurface drainage systems and makes recommendations for improving the design process to overcome some of the main issues presented. The focus is on a decentralized design approach to facilitate a more participatory process and better account for location-specific conditions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T05:58:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7d8fbff4c8894c148f70bea59f6171a9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1873-2283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T05:58:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agricultural Water Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-7d8fbff4c8894c148f70bea59f6171a92023-09-03T04:23:27ZengElsevierAgricultural Water Management1873-22832023-10-01288108484Challenges in modernizing the subsurface drainage systems in EgyptHenk Ritzema0Safwat Abdel-Dayem1Hussein El-Atfy2Magdy Rashad Nasralla3Hanny Saad Shaheen4Water Resources Management Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 45, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands; Corresponding author.National Research Center, P.O. Box 74, Shoubra El-Kheima, 13411 Cairo, EgyptSecretary General, Arab Water Council, 9 El-Mokhayam Al-Da'em St., Al-Hay Al-Sades, Nasr City, 11471 Cairo, EgyptDrainage Research Institute, National Water Research Center, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, P.O. Box 13621/5, Cairo, EgyptEgyptian Public Authority for Drainage Project, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, 13 Mourad Street Giza, Cairo, EgyptAfter completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970, the Egyptian government undertook an ambitious programme to install drainage on all of Egypt’s agricultural lands (approx. 2.7 Mha). In the decades that followed, subsurface drainage was implemented on 2.5 Mha, and drainage practices evolved from manual to large-scale and mechanized. Currently, new or rehabilitated systems are being installed on some 25,000 ha each year. However, modernization is needed to address high maintenance costs, extend the less-than-expected lifespan of the subsurface pipe systems and adapt to ongoing changes in climate and land use, such as shifting cropping patterns and irrigation practices. This paper discusses challenges in modernizing these subsurface drainage systems and makes recommendations for improving the design process to overcome some of the main issues presented. The focus is on a decentralized design approach to facilitate a more participatory process and better account for location-specific conditions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377423003499Subsurface drainageEgyptDesignOperation and maintenance |
| spellingShingle | Henk Ritzema Safwat Abdel-Dayem Hussein El-Atfy Magdy Rashad Nasralla Hanny Saad Shaheen Challenges in modernizing the subsurface drainage systems in Egypt Agricultural Water Management Subsurface drainage Egypt Design Operation and maintenance |
| title | Challenges in modernizing the subsurface drainage systems in Egypt |
| title_full | Challenges in modernizing the subsurface drainage systems in Egypt |
| title_fullStr | Challenges in modernizing the subsurface drainage systems in Egypt |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges in modernizing the subsurface drainage systems in Egypt |
| title_short | Challenges in modernizing the subsurface drainage systems in Egypt |
| title_sort | challenges in modernizing the subsurface drainage systems in egypt |
| topic | Subsurface drainage Egypt Design Operation and maintenance |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377423003499 |
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