Irrigation and Drainage System

The Water Management Research Institute (WMRI) is one of the research branches of the National Water Research Center (NWRC) in Egypt, dedicated to improving water resource management through applied research and field studies that address challenges related to water scarcity and climate change. The institute primarily focuses on enhancing water use efficiency in agriculture by evaluating and studying different irrigation systems, both traditional and modern, and developing irrigation techniques that help reduce water loss. The institute also conducts scientific research to improve water consumption efficiency in strategic crops such as wheat, potatoes, and sugar beet, and carries out successful experiments in mixed farming and drought-resistant crop cultivation.

Through field studies conducted in various regions such as the Mit Yazid Canal, Toshka, and North Sinai, the institute’s findings emphasize the need for the implementation of water accounting systems to assess actual water consumption. For instance, the WaPOR database was used in the Mit Yazid Canal, revealing that water consumption exceeds rainfall amounts, necessitating adjustments to irrigation systems and improving their efficiency. Additionally, the institute’s experiments in Toshka and North Sinai highlight the importance of utilizing spaces between center pivot irrigation systems to increase productivity, as well as using treated wastewater for cultivating salt-tolerant crops, which reduces water loss and leads to better economic benefits.

The institute is also working on developing advanced technologies such as remote sensing and smart irrigation to monitor water consumption in agricultural fields and improve water network management. Smart irrigation relies on technologies like artificial intelligence to analyze weather data and crop needs accurately, thereby enhancing water use efficiency. These efforts contribute significantly to strengthening water and food security in Egypt, providing sustainable solutions to address future water resource management challenges, and supporting sustainable development.

The Drainage Research Institute (DRI), one of the research branches of Egypt’s National Water Research Center (NWRC), focuses on land drainage, a critical component of agricultural water management that is as important as irrigation. While irrigation supplies water to crops, drainage removes excess surface and subsurface water to prevent waterlogging, manage soil salinity, and promote healthy root development. According to the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), land drainage also involves the removal of salts to enhance crop growth.

Drainage systems improve soil aeration, temperature, and field access, helping to maintain productivity and prevent land degradation. There are various types of drainage systems: surface (e.g., open ditches) and subsurface (e.g., buried pipes). Specialized methods include vertical drainage with wells, bio-drainage with plants, and controlled drainage for water table management. In Egypt, modern subsurface drainage systems using plastic tubes and synthetic materials have replaced traditional techniques.

Designing effective systems requires understanding factors like soil type, water table depth, irrigation methods, and crop patterns. Models such as DRAINMOD-S help determine optimal designs by simulating crop responses to moisture and salinity.

Environmental and economic aspects are also critical, including assessing the impacts of drainage water and optimizing cost-effective solutions. Field data collection supports decision-making for system improvements. Overall, drainage research is essential for sustaining agricultural productivity and protecting natural resources, especially in irrigation-dependent countries like Egypt.