It is indeed an honor to serve with Drs James W. Jones and Robert M.
Peart on a project we call ATUT. ATUT stands for Agricultural Technology
Utilization and Transfer Project. Our contribution to this project
is the transfer of crop modeling technology to a list of co-researchers
in Egypt. It is my impression that ATUT is one of the manifestations
of the USAID program. This workers responsibilities are in the area
of making weather and climate information available to the crop models.
One of the concerns is that much of the agronomic and horticultural production
is on delta lands. If global warming results in even a portion of
the expected sea level rise Egypt could face some serious decisions as
to whether to dyke and pump to protect their lands much as is done in the
Netherlands, or a move of the industries to higher ground. A portion
of the desert is under study as an alternative production site for the
production that may be in jeopardy. The crop models are being used
to forecast the yields that can be expected from particular cultivars that
my be recommended for development in the new site. The evapotranspiration
modules of the models are used to forecast the amount of irrigation that
will be necessary for the specified variety. In summary, the crop
models are being used at decision-making tools in the projection of the
potential of future agricultural operations in Egypt.