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Figure 9.6. Irrigation potential in Arab Group
Source: AQUASTAT, 2013
Note: Data not available in Libya, Oman, Palestinian, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and
Yemen
In the Arab Group of countries, total amount of surface irrigation is around 7
million ha. While Egypt, Morocco, Syria, and Saudi Arabia have the largest share, other
countries exhibit lower levels of surface irrigation. The total area under sprinkler
irrigation in this group countries is 1.4 million ha. While Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt,
and Morocco have the largest shares, sprinkler irrigation is very low in other countries.
On the other hand, localized irrigation is about 976 thousand ha and Egypt,
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Syria have the largest shares. The total
amount of lowland area is around 8 thousand ha and the entire area is located in Yemen.
The total amount of spate irrigation is about 610 thousand ha in the Group of Arab
countries. While Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan have the largest shares, other countries
have lower levels of spate irrigation (Figure 9.7).