Egypt is moving to scale up the digital transformation of its irrigation network following the completion of the first phase of a nationwide project to register and map private irrigation canals, positioning the initiative as a cornerstone for more efficient water allocation and agricultural planning.
The progress was reviewed during a meeting of the joint coordination committee between the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, where ministers assessed next steps for expanding coverage across the country.
Finalised earlier this month, the first phase of the private irrigation canals digitisation project established a dedicated digital platform and recorded data for more than 22,000 canals, representing over 17,000 kilometres in length. Implementation covered 11 general irrigation directorates in seven governorates and was carried out by 44 joint technical teams from both ministries.
By consolidating geographic and technical information into a single system, the platform is designed to support continuous monitoring of canal conditions and identify maintenance requirements to be undertaken by beneficiaries. It also provides a structured database to guide future rehabilitation of non-improved canals and to inform planning decisions at both central and local levels.
During the meeting, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam reiterated his ministry’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and to removing any obstacles facing joint files through continuous coordination between the two ministries. He stressed that such cooperation contributes to developing the water management system, serving beneficiaries and advancing food security.
Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk underlined the close coordination between the two ministries aimed at enhancing agricultural performance, maximizing crop productivity and achieving food security.
Technical teams have been instructed to continue data entry and prepare for nationwide rollout, alongside training additional personnel and setting a timetable to complete coverage in the Nile Valley and Delta. Officials also emphasized the importance of strong governance and oversight, from project design and tendering through implementation and impact evaluation, as digitisation becomes an operational tool for irrigation modernization.
