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Figure 9.1. Irrigation Methods
Source: AQUASTAT, 2013
Sprinkler irrigation methods in COMCEC Member Countries cover about 3
million ha. As a matter of fact, Arab and Asian Group countries have more areas under
sprinkler irrigation than the African Group Countries which have a little or no amounts
of sprinkler irrigation technology.
About 1.5 million ha land is irrigated by localized (drip and micro sprinkler)
system in the COMCEC Countries. According to analyses, Arabic and Asian Group
countries have the highest amount of lands under localized irrigated systems. The
amount of localized irrigation in African Group countries is almost negligible. Total
localized irrigation area in OECD and DEV countries is 2 times higher than in the
COMCEC Countries (3 million ha). The amount of localized irrigation in the COMCEC
Member Countries is equal to one-fifth of the world localize irrigation area
(approximately 7 million ha).
The equipped lowland of the COMCEC Member Countries is about 600
thousand ha. When all Member Countries are examined, African countries have the
most lowlands (400 thousand ha) in area. There is almost no area of the lowlands in
Arab countries. The irrigated lowlands area in the COMCEC Countries is equal to the
area of LDC countries (500 thousand ha). The equipped lowlands are negligible in DEV