Cairo University Faculty of Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Department

Second Year Mechanical

Report on:

The ways to rationalize water and energy usage in farms

Submitted to: Dr/Ahmed Yehia

Submitted by:

Name Sec. B.N.

Ahmed Ayman Ahmed Ahmed 1 6

Ahmed Hamed Abdelwahab Elsayed 1 10

Mohamed Ahmed Thabet Abdelrehem 4 24

Mohamed Abdelrahman Mostafa 5 14

Mohamed Adly Ahmed Abdo 5 16

Mohamed Medhat Kamel Mohamed 5 25

Mahmoud Ahmed Elsayed Kassab 5 33

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 Abstract
All plants, animals and human beings need water to stay alive. We need
water for many purposes such as: for the day -to- day activities. Water
helps in the dispersal of seeds and fruits. It is used in irrigation. All
industries use a large amount of water for cleaning, heating, cooling,
generating electricity, etc. Energy is essential to life and all living
organisms. The sun, directly or indirectly, is the source of all the energy
available on Earth. Our energy choices and decisions impact Earth's
natural systems in ways we may not be aware of, so it is essential that
we choose our energy sources carefully.

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 Table of contents
Page

1-Introduction………………………………………………………………………..………………...5

2-The importance of rationalization of water…………………………………………....5

3-The challenges which we may face with water……………………………………....6

4- Ways to save water in agriculture………………………………………………………....7

5- Reusing wastewater when possible.……………………………………………………..10

6- The importance of rationalization of energy………………………………………….10

7-The challenges which we may face with energy…………………………………..…11

8- Energy rationalization in the agricultural sector……………………………….……11

9-Egypt's role in rationalizing consumption of water………………………….…..…13

10-Egypt's role in rationalizing consumption of energy………………………………14

11-Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….…………16

12-References…………………………………………………………………………………………….17

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 List of figures
Page

1-Drip Irrigation…………………………………………………………………………………………..7

2- Capturing and Storing Water……………………………………………………………………7

3- Drought-Tolerant Crops…………………………………………………………………………..8

4- Dry Farming…………………………………………………………………………………………….8

5- Rotational Grazing…………………………………………………………………………………..8

6- Compost and Mulch…………………………………………………………………………………9

7- Reusing greywater………………………………………………………………………………….10
8- Wind Energy …………………………………………………………………………………………..11
9- Biomass Energy……………………………………………………………………………………….12
10- Solar Energy…………………………………………………………………………………………..12

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1-Introduction:
Nowadays, our world faces great challenges that hinder the progress of a lot of
developing countries. One of these challenges is: lack in water resources in some
regions like the Arabic Gulf and the Middle East. They have a serious problem
which is lack in water resources so they will be obliged to three solutions which
are: storage of rainwater, using wells water and using seas water. The ingredients
of wells water aren’t suitable for planting all crops directly so these countries will
aim to one of two solutions. The first of them is water treatment and the second
is importing crops which isn’t suitable for planting with wells water from outside.
Also, they will be forced to customize part of the general budget for desalination
of seawater. Another great challenge that the world face is energy shortage. So,
energy conservation is an evergreen topic since we all use energy in our daily
lives. Energy conservation is simply the act of cutting back on energy usage by
utilizing less of the energy service provided. Energy conservation shouldn’t be
confused with ‘’efficient energy usage” which implies using less energy for a
continuous service.

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2- The importance of rationalization of water:
There are facts that must be known so we can be able to solve the problem of
water that we face and to find solution that contribute to understanding the issue
on the scale of the individual, the farms and the governments. Also, we should
present the appropriate technologies to solve the problem of water shortage.
• One-third of the Arab population has no potable water.
• Per capita freshwater has dropped to less than 1,000 m3 currently.
• The Arabian Gulf region is semi-dry and the rain rate is less than 100 ml.
• About 40% of available water is lost due to lack of awareness.
• Irrigated land accounts for 18.2% of the world.
• The share of the Arab world in renewable water is less than 8%.
• Arab water deficit of 30 billion cubic meters in 2000.

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 • The Arab water deficit is expected to reach 282 billion cubic meters by
2030.
• The Arab world accounts for about 5% of the world's population while only
1% of fresh water.
• Demand for water in the Gulf is expected to reach 32.5 billion cubic meters
in 2025.
• Rainfed agriculture is 81.8% of the world.
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3-The challenges which we may face with water:
• Water Scarcity.
• Poor land productivity.
• Low efficiency of irrigation systems, with losses estimated at 90 billion
cubic meters per year and irrigation systems efficiency of about 53%.
• The depletion of groundwater resources in some Arab countries due to
excessive clouds and lack of proper nutrition.
• Low groundwater levels, deterioration in quality and high salinity.
• Water basins are exposed to depletion.
• Saline soil.
• Use of surface irrigation system, which constitutes 75% in the Arab world.
• Challenges arising from climate and high soil temperature.
Water scarcity may become a more pressing issue. Global water demand has
tripled in the past 50 years and 500 million people live in chronically water-scarce
countries. This figure is likely to rise to 4 billion by 2050. The third factor is the
issue of Availability of land. Some analysts believe that, although historic
increases in food demand are met through crop growth, there will be a need for
expansion in the future. But this will be costly, given the size of infrastructure
investment, and revenues may decline because most good land is already
plowed. Most importantly, competition is simply over existing land, including the
competition between food, feed, fiber (wood, paper), fuel, forest conservation,
carbon sequestration and urbanization, as well as high soil loss rates, due to
Erosion and desertification. The fourth factor - and most importantly - is climate
change. In general, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
predicts that global food production could increase if domestic temperatures rise
to between 1 and 3 degrees Celsius, but may fall further than this. People are still

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puzzled by the possibility that recent increases in food prices will continue or not.
Many commentators - experts from the World Bank - believe it will take "several
years" for food supplies to increase and stocks to be rebuilt, allowing for lower
prices. But in the long run, structural factors suggest that the population will rise
to 9: 2 billion by 2050, the growing wealth, and the four "scarcity trends"
mentioned above - that structural change is possible, not just a shift. Although
food prices are unlikely to rise significantly over the next decade, it is also unlikely
that prices will fall significantly, returning to levels between 2000 and 2003. [3]
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4- Ways to save water in agriculture:

1. Drip Irrigation:
Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to a
plant’s roots, reducing the evaporation that
happens with spray watering systems. Timers can
be used to schedule watering for the cooler parts
of the day, further reducing water loss. Properly
installed drip irrigation can save up to 80 percent
more water than conventional irrigation, and can
even contribute to increased crop yields (Figure 1). Figure 1

2. Capturing and Storing Water:

Many farms rely on municipal water or wells
(groundwater), while some have built their own
ponds to capture and store rainfall for use
throughout the year. Properly managed ponds
can also create habitat for local wildlife (Figure 2).
3. Irrigation Scheduling:
Figure 2
Smart water management is not just about how
water is delivered but also when, how often, and how much. To avoid under- or
overwatering their crops, farmers carefully monitor the weather forecast, as well
as soil and plant moisture, and adapt their irrigation schedule to the current
conditions. there are Farms, which uses flood irrigation in their orchards, waters
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at night to slow down evaporation, allowing water to seep down into the soil and
replenish the water table.
4. Drought-Tolerant Crops:
Growing crops that are appropriate to the
region’s climate is another way that farmers are
getting more crop per drop. Crop species that are
native to arid regions are naturally drought-
tolerant, while other crop varieties have been
selected over time for their low water needs
(Figure 3).
Figure 3
5. Dry Farming:
dry farmers don’t irrigate, relying on soil moisture
to produce their crops during the dry season.
Special tilling practices and careful attention to
microclimates are essential. Dry farming tends to
enhance flavors, but produces lower yields than
irrigated crops (Figure 4).

Figure 4

6. Rotational Grazing:
Rotational grazing is a process in which livestock
are moved between fields to help promote
pasture regrowth. Good grazing management
increases the fields’ water absorption and
decreases water runoff, making pastures more
drought-resistant. Increased soil organic matter
and better forage cover are also water-saving
benefits of rotational grazing (Figure 5).
Figure 5
7. Compost and Mulch:
Compost, or decomposed organic matter used as fertilizer, has been found to
improve soil structure, increasing its water-holding capacity. Mulch is a material
spread on top of the soil to conserve moisture. Mulch made from organic

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materials such as straw or wood chips will
break down into compost, further increasing
the soil’s ability to retain water (Figure 6).
8. Cover Crops:
Planted to protect soil that would otherwise
go bare, cover crops reduce weeds, increase
soil fertility and organic matter, and help
prevent erosion and compaction. This allows
Figure 6
water to more easily penetrate the soil and
improves its water-holding capacity. A 2012
survey of 750 farmers conducted by North Central Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education found that fields planted with cover crops were 11 to 14
percent more productive than conventional fields during years of drought.
9. Conservation Tillage:
The Dust Bowl of the 1930s was created by a perfect storm of deep plowing and
loss of perennial grasses followed by extreme drought and wind erosion.
Conservation tillage uses specialized plows or other implements that partially till
the soil but leave at least 30 percent of vegetative crop residue on the surface.
Like the use of cover crops, such practices help increase water absorption and
reduce evaporation, erosion, and compaction.
10. Organic agriculture:
In a 30-year farm systems trial, the Rodale Institute found that corn grown in
organic fields had 30 percent greater yields than conventional fields in years of
drought. In addition to keeping many of the more toxic pesticides out of our
waterways, organic methods help retain soil moisture. Healthy soil that is rich in
organic matter and microbial life serves as a sponge that delivers moisture to
plants. The trial also found that organic fields can recharge groundwater supplies
up to 20 percent. [3]
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5- Reusing wastewater when possible:
“Grey water” is the water draining from your
house’s sinks, bathtubs, and laundry machine,
which can be used to water plants (as opposed to
“black water” from toilets, which needs to be
treated).You can harvest grey water in a small
way with a bucket in your kitchen or shower, or
install a grey water system, which reroutes water
from your drains to your landscape (Figure 7). [5]
Figure 7

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6- The importance of rationalization of energy:

1- Risk of depletion.

2 Construction of fewer power plants.

3- Boosts human health.

4- Mitigates global warming.

5- To ensure constant safe water supply.

6- Mitigates habitat destruction.

7- To maintain steady prices of energy.

8- Transportation and commerce may grind to a halt.

9- Normal functioning of the country would be affected.

10- Enhances the value of your home.

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7-The challenges which we may face with energy:
1. Overconsumption: The energy crisis is a result of many different strains on our
natural resources, not just one. There is a strain on fossil fuels such as oil, gas and
coal due to overconsumption

2. Overpopulation: Another cause of the crisis has been the steady increase in the
world’s population and its demands for fuel and products. No matter what type
of food or products you choose to use – from fair trade and organic to those made
from petroleum products in a sweatshop – not one of them is made or
transported without a significant drain on our energy resources.

3. Poor Infrastructure: Aging infrastructure of power generating equipment is yet

another reason for energy shortage. Most of the energy producing firms keep on
using outdated equipment that restricts the production of energy. It is the
responsibility of utilities to keep on upgrading the infrastructure and set a high
standard of performance.

4. people awareness for Energy: In most parts of the world, people do not realize
the importance of conserving energy. It is only limited to booksand seminars.
Unless we give it a serious thought, things are not going to change anytime
sooner. [2]

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8- Energy rationalization in the agricultural sector:

➢ Wind Energy:
Farms have long used wind power to pump water
and generate electricity. Recently, wind developers
have installed large wind turbines on farms and
ranches in a number of states to provide power to
electric companies and consumers. Where there are
strong winds, developers may pay as much as $
2,000 to $ 5,000 per year for each turbine installed. Figure 8

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Each turbine uses less than half an acre, so farmers can plant crops and graze
livestock right to the turbine's base. Some farmers have also purchased wind
turbines; others are starting to form wind power cooperatives. Today, most large
turbines are installed in the Midwest, Great Plains, and West, where state policies
provide support. But farmers in many more states could benefit, since some of
the best wind resources are found on agricultural lands (Figure 8). [4]

➢ Biomass Energy:

Biomass energy is produced from plants and organic wastes-everything from

crops, trees, and crop residues to manure. Crops
grown for energy could be produced in large
quantities, just as food crops are. While corn is
currently the most widely used energy crop, native
prairie grasses such as switchgrass or fast-growing
trees such as poplar and willow are likely to
become the most popular in the future. These
perennial crops require less maintenance and
fewer inputs than do annual row crops such as
corn, so they are cheaper and more sustainable to
Figure 9
produce. Crops and biomass wastes can be
converted to energy on the farm or sold to energy companies that produce fuel
for cars and tractors and heat and power for homes and businesses (Figure 9). [4]

➢ Solar Energy:
The amount of energy from the sun that reaches
Earth each day is intense. All the energy stored in
Earth's reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas is
equal to the energy from only 20 days of
sunshine. Solar energy can be used in agriculture
in a number of ways, saving money, increasing
self-reliance, and reducing pollution. Solar energy
can cut a farm's electricity and heating bills. Solar
Figure 10

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heat collectors can be used to dry crops and warm homes, livestock buildings, and
greenhouses. Solar water heaters can provide hot water for dairy operations, pen
cleaning, and homes. Photovoltaics (solar electric panels) can power farm
operations and remote water pumps, lights, and electric wings. Buildings and
barns can be renovated to capture natural daylight, instead of using electric
lights. Solar power is often less expensive than extending power lines (Figure 10).

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9-Egypt's role in rationalizing consumption of water:

Egypt suffers from increasing its consumption of water, so the government is
always looking for solutions to this crisis, for the rationalization of consumption
and desalination and treatment plants. According to foreign organizations, Egypt
faces challenges. More than 95% of Egypt's desert area is one of the world's
countries. Its 100 million population is concentrated around the Nile River in the
valley and the delta.

the increasing the demand for water for agriculture in arid areas is a crisis.
However, the best practices and successful agricultural practices should be
chosen in rationalizing irrigation water, maximizing the material benefit and
increasing cultivated areas for farmers to conserve water. The European Union
supports the reform and strengthening of the technical capabilities of the water
sector, and there will be no better practices for the successful provision of
irrigation water so that the transformers must be installed and running well
through direct allocation from the General Directorate of Electrical Engineering
Affairs of the electricity companies and the measure of the provinces on the
crops, in order to protect the groundwater sector and to meet and resolve the
problems of the beneficiaries and to activate the role of the wells links. Discuss
the problems of wells and find solutions to them all. He pointed out that the
groups of society must preserve water resources and protect them from waste,
pollution, encroachment, dumping and use of garbage and waste. This is a
representation of the national water resources plan which underlies the Ministry
and its strategy to rationalize and optimize the use of water resources.

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The agricultural experts said that water management to alleviate poverty, water
strategies to meet the goals of sustainable development, environmental systems
and water quality, water management, clean water and sanitation, water
treatment and reuse, water accounting and applications of water science and
policy , The main theme that the country should consider is "climate change and
the environment" to include climate change in the planning and implementation
of water projects, the development of solutions to improve water management
in coastal areas, the economic and social impacts of climate change , Policy
relevance. Increased flexibility to deal with extreme climatic conditions, climate
change and reduction in water management, community awareness of climate
change, natural solutions for water management, adaptation to climate change,
capacity development, flood and drought risk management, efficient use of
natural resources and water productivity in agriculture. Egypt is the third leader
of the 13-nation Deltaoat Alliance, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Colombia,
Egypt, France, Indonesia, Japan, Mozambique, Myanmar, the Netherlands, the
Philippines and Korea. Several issues such as integrated coastal zone
management and financing of climate change adaptation projects were discussed
during the conference. Water scarcity for safe drinking water and improved
health, sanitation challenges in developing countries, non-conventional water
resources and wastewater management, comes with the support of the decision
to manage water. [6]

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10-Egypt's role in rationalizing consumption of energy:

1-The Egyptian program to finance sustainable energy projects:

Egypt Sustainable Energy Financing Facility (Egypt SEFF)

Is a dedicated credit line for energy efficiency and investments in renewable
energy in Egypt. The cost of implementation is 30 Million USD.

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2-Training courses on energy efficiency and financing procedures:

Two training sessions have been held at the ministry's headquarters with the
participation of branches of the Ministry of Electricity in the provinces and
businesses of generation, transmission and distribution managers.

3-Awareness campaigns:

“Watti el watt” campaign or reduce consumption has been disseminated through

the subway and Facebook pages young volunteers to educate citizens about the
importance of energy conservation.

4-Improving the energy efficiency of the Ministry of Industry:

Project aims:

• To proving the energy efficiency in the industrial sector to overcome some of

the main barriers to improve energy efficiency in the industrial sector.

• To achieve measurable results.

• To have an impact on the methods of energy management by industry sectors

in Egypt through developing an integrated approach involving capacity building
and technical assistance and incorporate them in both in policy, institutional and
industrial facilities. Total cost including the investment expected from the
organization benefiting from executing the measure.

5-Energy conservation and a shift towards cleaner fuels:

This procedure is considered one of the requirements of Egyptian pollution

abatement program EPAP which is defined as an initiative of the Ministry of
Environment to help the industry to improve performance and compliance with
environmental regulations. Eligible Industries in Cairo and Alexandria can take
advantage of the funds available under EPAP project, where the bidding
companies should have creditworthy in addition to other environmental
conditions. [6]

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11-Conclusion:
Water being an ongoing reliable source around the world, it will not be available
forever. When top energy consumers include the United States and China, along
with environmental factors affecting these two regions, there is no doubt that
this valuable resource will be limited on Earth. Water scarcity is no joke and
shouldn’t be taken lightly for it has great effects on food production, our farm
lands, our health and our economies. Droughts are common factors of this
scarcity of water by drying up land and all the life contained in it. The land for
crops is shrinking and are in need of more and more water everyday causing
limited amounts of fruits and vegetables to be produced according to the
research. When there is low food production, there come high demands which
affect the economy.

Cleary, agriculture consumes more energy than most people previously realized.
With governments placing more restrictions on carbon emissions, it’s important
for farmers to do their part in reducing their carbon emissions. By doing so, they
can also reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and save more money. If we are
willing to rethink the way we produce and consume food, reducing greenhouse
gas emissions will come naturally.

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12-References:
1- Reik, J. 2009. The Leipzig Model-Success of A Water and Wastewater Utility in Transition
with Water Loss Reduction, Proceedings of International Workshop on Drinking Water Loss
Reduction: Developing Capacity for Applying Solutions, Proceedings No.1, UNW-DPC
Publication, UNU, Bonn, Germany.
2- Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA), 1989.Energy Conservation, An Internal Report
prepared by Prof. John Pickford of WEDC as a Contribution to Arriyadh Rising Groundwater
Management Study, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
3- 10 ways for saving water. (n.d.). Retrieved from cuesa: http://cusea.org
4- Clean energy and smart energy solution. (n.d.). Retrieved from cuesa: http://cusea.org

5- 45 ways to conserve water in the home and yard. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://learn.eartheasy.com
6- Egypt’s role in rationalizing consumption in water and energy. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://light-dark.com

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