Cost-effective strategies for developing irrigation in Egypt's Nile River Valley and the Nile Delta, as well as on other lands already developed or targeted for development, are presented. Two major sections analyze, respectively, the current and projected (in the medium and long term) status of the socioeconomic and technical issues relevant to Egypt's irrigation strategy. Most issues covered in the two sections are the same, e.g., soil, crop, and on-farm water management; drainage and salinity; irrigation works; research and extension; farm economics; and policy matters. Some issues, however, are treated only in terms of their current status (e.g., farmer and private sector involvement, overall system management) or their projected status (expansion of new lands, groundwater development, institutional development needs). The two sections also treat, respectively, recurring costs and new investments. Plans for improving channel operation and maintenance are used to exemplify all estimated costs. A concluding chapter establishes a framework enabling donors to prioritize programs and projects and outlines the needed resource requirements.