When were the farmers available to work on government projects like building palaces and tombs?

Farmers were typically available to work on government projects during the off-season, which was after the harvest when their agricultural duties were reduced. In ancient civilizations like Egypt, this period generally fell between late spring and early autumn, aligning with the annual flooding of the Nile that made farming impossible. During this time, they could be conscripted or voluntarily participate in large-scale projects such as building palaces and tombs.