Theory question 114
Geography of AfricaCompare irrigation agriculture in the Nile Basin with that in the Niger Basin under the following headings: (a) The need for irrigation (b) Methods used (c) Areas covered (d) Crops cultivated
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(a) Nile: desert climate, almost no rain in Egypt, so farming is impossible without irrigation; large population needs food. Niger: seasonal rainfall with a long dry season, so irrigation extends the growing season; to grow rice and cash crops
(b) Nile: perennial irrigation with dams (Aswan High Dam, Sennar), barrages and canals; basin irrigation; shaduf, sakia, pumps. Niger: dams and barrages (Markala in Mali, Kainji, Bakolori), canals, flood/fadama farming, shaduf and pumps; less developed
(c) Nile: whole valley and delta in Egypt, Gezira and other schemes in Sudan – very large area. Niger: Office du Niger (inland delta in Mali), Niger valley in Niger, Sokoto-Rima, Kano river project, South Chad – smaller scattered areas
(d) Nile: cotton, wheat, rice, sugar cane, maize, vegetables, fruits. Niger: rice, cotton, sugar cane, wheat, vegetables, onions
Make each point a direct comparison.