(a) Methods of irrigation agriculture in the Nile Valley:
(1) Basin or flooding method involves the seasonal flooding of the nearby lands in the Nile Valley during which the flood water is trapped and cannot flow back into the river
(2) Perennial method involves the draining of rivers to create artificial reservoirs which can supply water to irrigation canals at any time of the year
(3) The shaduf method - oldest method during which farmers collect water from river channel either with a bucket or a water bag, and pour on their farms
(4) Pumping method-lifting of water from the river to the farm. Water is pumped into the canals by electricity
(i) Large areas are thus covered
(ii) This method is quite expensive
(iii) Hence, not commonly used by peasant farmers
(iv) Sagia or sakai/sprinkler method
(v) Animals are used to turn wheels
(vi) Containers/buckets are tied to the wheels
(vii) As the animals turn, the wheel rotates
(viii) Containers/ buckets dip into water
(ix) Water is lifted to the farmland to wet the crops.
(b) Reasons for development of irrigation in the Nile Valley:
(a) To supply water to the soil as little or no rain is experienced around these areas
(b) To fight drought as Egypt experiences desert climate
(c) To produce cash crops for export e.g cotton, sugarcane, wheat etc
(d) To produce crops all the year round
(e) To extend the area under cultivation
(c) Problems associated with irrigation agriculture in the Valley:
(1) There is the problem of fluctuation in the level of water used for irrigation purposes
(2) Pests and diseases
(3) Water borne diseases
(4) Presence of excess of mineral salts like sodium which are injurious to plant growth
(5) Over flooding could be disastrous
(6) Displacement of people
(7) Construction of many dams disturbs normal flow of water
(8) Silting of dam.