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Management of irrigation requirements using FAO-CROPWAT 8.0 model: A case study of Egypt

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Abstract

In the context of defining agroecological zones and managing available water resources efficiently. The FAO-CROPWAT 8.0 model was used to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and net irrigation water requirements (NIR) for the major cultivated crops in Egypt (wheat, dry beans, potatoes, sugar beet, berseem clover, maize, tomato, cotton, sugar cane, and rice) using weather data from 31 stations from 1985 to 2018 and the soil and crop data. The average estimated ETo values showed five agroecological zones, with the first zone having the highest ETo 8 mm day−1 and the fifth zone having the lowest 3.5 mm day−1. The computed NIR for Egypt’s territories Delta, Alexandria, Greater Cairo, Suez Canal, North Upper Egypt, Central Upper Egypt, and Upper Egypt for the major crops show values of 6255.6; 3435; 370.1; 2862; 2463.6; 1341; and 4309.5 million m3 year−1, respectively, suggesting a total NIR about 21 km3 year−1 for a total cultivated of 7,523,007 acres. In the light of the available irrigation water resources, computed irrigation efficiency was 50% (flood irrigation is dominant). The proposed agroecological zones and NIR values can be used for effective water resource management through optimal irrigation planning, crop pattern selection, and applying modern irrigation systems.

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Acknowledgements

I am thankful for the logistical and technical support provided by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI), Egypt. In addition, we sincerely acknowledge and appreciate the comments and suggestions we received from the anonymous reviewers and editor of this journal.

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  1. Civil Engineering Department, High Institute for Engineering and Technology, New Damietta, Ministry of Higher Education, Central Region, Second Stage, in front of the 4th District, New Damietta, Damietta Governorate, Egypt

    Mohamed EL-Sayed Gabr

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Gabr, M.ES. Management of irrigation requirements using FAO-CROPWAT 8.0 model: A case study of Egypt. Model. Earth Syst. Environ. 8, 3127–3142 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-021-01268-4

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