Irrigation Water Distribution along Branch Canals in Egypt: Economic Effects

Abstract

Over 75% of the world's irrigated lands are found in developing countries.' Given the need to expand agricultural output to meet the growing food demands in these countries and elsewhere in the world, it is apparent that improving the efficiency of irrigated agricultural systems is an important component of agricultural development strategies. Future world food needs depend on means to improve the efficiency of water use in irrigated agriculture. Analysts of irrigated agricultural systems around the world have observed a problem common to most, if not all, irrigation projects in which the amount of water for the available land is limited. The problem is to achieve a more equitable and efficient system of allocating water among lands, crops, or users. Often, a farmer's position relative to the head of a common branch canal determines his access to water; farmers near the start of the canal may receive ample water, but those at the distant reaches of the same canal are often poorly served. In his review of the need for economic analysis of irrigation, Taylor identifies a number of studies concerned with the allocation of