Which crops did ancient Egyptians grow along the Nile River?

Ancient Egyptians cultivated a variety of crops along the Nile River, which served as the foundation of their agricultural economy. The primary crops grown were emmer wheat and barley, which were essential staples for the population.1

In addition to these grains, other important field crops included:

• Lentils
• Beans
• Flax, which was processed into linen
• Onions

Some scholars have also suggested that millet was grown as a staple crop in ancient Egypt. These agricultural efforts were supported by the development of basin irrigation, a technique that utilized the annual flooding of the Nile to deposit nutrient-rich silt onto the fields, ensuring the land remained fertile for cultivation.123