TABJ Sep 7 - Egypt plans to spend an initial 60 billion Egyptian pounds to upgrade the country's irrigation network, according to the country's Agriculture Minister.

Countries along the Nile will need more water as their populations grow, a development which could affect Egypt's share of the river's flow, said Minister Amin Abaza.

The plan will take 10 to 15 years and include 4.8 million acres of traditional farming areas, according to reports, financed by the government at a reduced six per cent interest rate.

Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya signed a new agreement in May to alter historic sharing arrangements for the Nile's waters, a deal opposed by Egypt.