2. IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND CHANNEL MAINTENANCE IN EGYPT Central Directorate for Channel Maintenance Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation Arab Republic of Egypt Presented by Dr. Tarek KOTB Director, Channel Maintenance, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation

3. Schematic of Irrigation System in Egypt Field Branch Canal Main Canal Off-take Regulator

4. IRRIGATION DIRECTORATES Nile Delta Middle Egypt Upper Egypt

5. ENTITIES WITHIN MWRI INVOLVED IN CHANNEL MAINTENANCE

6. MAIN FEATURES  Total irrigated area is about 3.4 million ha.  Total length of the irrigation channels is 33,000 km.  Total length of drainage channels is about 18,000 km.  Total length of tertiary channels and field ditches is about 80,000 km.

7. VISION ON WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT  Integrated water resources management.  Water resources development at micro-level.  De-centralization of service provision.  Enhancement of stakeholders’ participation.  Institutional reform for water quantity and quality management and monitoring.

8.  Strengthening regional Nile Basin cooperation.  Self-sufficiency for research and consultation services.  Complete responsibility for planning, design and implementation of New Projects. Cont., VISION ON WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

9. OPERATIONALIZATION OF IWRM Water Quality Management Institutional and Capacity Development Stakeholders Participation Water Quantity Management

10. RULES FOR EFFECTIVE CHANNEL MAINTENANCE  Channels must be prioritized according to their significance.  Weed control in small channels must be carried out manually.  Weed control in large channels must be carried out integrally (mechanically/ biologically/ manually).  De-silting in all channels must be carried out mechanically.

11. MECHANICAL WEED CONTROL  Mowing bucket is an efficient technique compared to dredging bucket (time saving/ work quality).  Mowing boats are best applicable in large channels.  De-weeding by mowing bucket controls over-excavation and suit Egyptian conditions.  Mowing technique is sensitive to stones, and needs regular maintenance and service roads.

12.  Reduction of de-weeding costs (reduction by about 70% compared to mechanical methods).  Constant de-weeding and fair distribution of weed control along the canal.  Source of protein.  Least negative environmental impacts compared to any weed control method.  Only applicable in the channels operated under continuous flow. BIOLOGICAL WEED CONTROL

13. It successfully replaced the prohibited CHEMICAL weed control

14.  Conservation of canal section.  Protection of labourer’s health.  Cost effective as a result of the continuous de-weeding.  Creation of new job opportunities in the rural society. IMPROVED MANUAL WEED CONTROL

15. LABOR REQUIREMENTS FOR MANUAL DE-WEEDING OF SMALL CHANNELS

16. Average 60% total length under implementation= 7,400 km % OF MANUAL WEED CONTROL IMPLEMENTATION NATIONWIDE (2002)

17. Tractors (silt/mowing bucket) Harvesters (De-weeding) Graders (Terming channel embankment) EXAMPLE OF EQUIPMENT USED IN EGYPT

18. EQUIPMENT USED INSIDE THE WATERCOURSE  Excavators equipped with silt or mowing buckets.  Harvesters to cut and remove weeds.  Skimmers to remove silt, sand and alluvial matters.

19. EQUIPMENT USED OUTSIDE THE WATERCOURSE  Cranes to remove obstacles and repair gates.  Graders to trim embankment.  Tractors to transfer silt and sands.  Loaders to transfer sediments, and trim and compact embankment.

20. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF CHANNEL MAINTENANCE WITHIN EGYPTIAN INSTITUTIONS

21. Unit Cost of Manual Weed Control in Small channels

22. Average Silt Removed (29.6 cm depth) Depth of Silt Removed in Giza Irrigation Districts

23. Average Depth of Silt Removed

24. CONCLUSION Indeed, there is a great potential for experience transfer and trade between Finland and Egypt in support of developing the water management sector, agricultural sector, and trade sector, and most importantly, enhance cooperation and friendship between both countries.

25. Thank You for Your Kind Attention