But it may be of some benefit, whatever it may be, but it may be of benefit. However, I limit my discussion to Egyptian cotton production only, as I cannot at present estimate what can be extracted from cotton in Sudan(1). However, whatever the production of that country, the world markets take it in addition to Egyptian cotton. I say this because I have seen them mention among the agricultural concerns that are sometimes mentioned, what the progress of Sudan can offer in cotton to Egypt. It is harmful to think that the competition of Sudan has harmed Egyptian cotton. In truth, if understood correctly, there is no fear of increasing cotton production beyond demand; rather, those whose opinions are relied upon in the matter fear that the world's demand will exceed the supply. As for the area of land that can be cultivated in Egypt, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Finance and Agriculture, it is as follows: Total Upper Egypt Feddan Lower Egypt Feddan Feddan Uncultivated 33938 227099 213359 Uncultivated 1047462 113477 93385 6387100 4066574 The area cultivated with cotton was 150629 feddans in the year 604. If we calculate that the current cotton production is 4/63 million qintars, the average yield per feddan was 4/4 qintars. The area of land cultivated with cotton in Lower Egypt alone is 70,661,43 qintars, which is 40 percent of all agricultural land there. All of this area is irrigated by summer irrigation, so it can be cultivated with cotton. From these figures, it appears that one piece of land is cultivated with cotton two years out of five years, with adjustments. The area of land cultivated with cotton in Upper Egypt is 429,462 qintars, which is a small part of the agricultural area there, because the area irrigated by summer irrigation there is less than half of that area. Add to that the fact that the weather conditions south of Assiut are not suitable for cotton cultivation. To know to what extent the area cultivated with cotton can be increased, let us assume that all the land that (1) See the notes on this subject in my report on Sudan in chapter (7) Cotton.