To evaluate the different situations of irrigation process in the first and last parts of irrigation network in Upper and Northern Egypt respectively, the study focused on the two villages.  Firstly, West Alsawamah Village is located in the first part of irrigation network (Upper Egypt).  Secondly, Elarkoub Village is located in the last part of irrigation network (Northern Egypt).  Figure 5.1 shows the locations of the study villages.  West Alsawamah Village is located in the Northwest of Sohag governorate, Upper Egypt (UE).  It is about 35 km Northwest of Sohag City.  While the number of land holding farmers is 1,455, the total cultivated area of the village is 1,450 feddan.  Thus, the average of land holding size is about 1 feddan per farmer.  The farmers of the village depend mainly on groundwater to irrigate their lands, as well as they use Nile water, and mixed-water (Nile water mixed with drainage water).  All sample farmers in this village can easily access to alternative sources of irrigation water to irrigate their lands.

On the other hand, Elarkoub Village is located in the Northern part of Albehaira governorate, Northern Egypt (NE).  It is about 20 km South of Alexandria City.  While the number of land holding farmers is 1,095, the total cultivated area of the village is 3,590 feddan.  Thus, the average of land holding size is about 3.3 feddan per farmer.  The farmers of this village depend on Nile water and mixed-water to irrigate their lands.  These resources represent 77%, and 23% of the sample farmers respectively.  They can’t access to any alternative sources of irrigation water.  As a result of Elarkoub Village is a near of Mediterranean beach, the farmers can’t use the groundwater in that region because of its salinity.

In order to obtain information on actual farm irrigation practices, the farm-level survey was conducted in the two villages between December 1, 2009 and January 20, 2010.  Thirty farmers from West Alsawamah Village and 30 farmers from Elarkoub Village were randomly selected and interviewed about their agricultural activities in the 2008/09 cropping seasons.

To evaluate the different situations of irrigation process in the first and last parts of irrigation network in Upper and Northern Egypt respectively, the study focused on the two villages.  Firstly, West Alsawamah Village is located in the first part of irrigation network (Upper Egypt).  Secondly, Elarkoub Village is located in the last part of irrigation network (Northern Egypt).  Figure 5.1 shows the locations of the study villages.  West Alsawamah Village is located in the Northwest of Sohag governorate, Upper Egypt (UE).  It is about 35 km Northwest of Sohag City.  While the number of land holding farmers is 1,455, the total cultivated area of the village is 1,450 feddan.  Thus, the average of land holding size is about 1 feddan per farmer.  The farmers of the village depend mainly on groundwater to irrigate their lands, as well as they use Nile water, and mixed-water (Nile water mixed with drainage water).  All sample farmers in this village can easily access to alternative sources of irrigation water to irrigate their lands.

On the other hand, Elarkoub Village is located in the Northern part of Albehaira governorate, Northern Egypt (NE).  It is about 20 km South of Alexandria City.  While the number of land holding farmers is 1,095, the total cultivated area of the village is 3,590 feddan.  Thus, the average of land holding size is about 3.3 feddan per farmer.  The farmers of this village depend on Nile water and mixed-water to irrigate their lands.  These resources represent 77%, and 23% of the sample farmers respectively.  They can’t access to any alternative sources of irrigation water.  As a result of Elarkoub Village is a near of Mediterranean beach, the farmers can’t use the groundwater in that region because of its salinity.

In order to obtain information on actual farm irrigation practices, the farm-level survey was conducted in the two villages between December 1, 2009 and January 20, 2010.  Thirty farmers from West Alsawamah Village and 30 farmers from Elarkoub Village were randomly selected and interviewed about their agricultural activities in the 2008/09 cropping seasons.