Face à la sécheresse et à la pénurie d'eau, quelles mesures pour ajuster la demande agricole à l'offre de ressource en eau?

Abstract

Since 2003, Center-West and South-West of France are regularly affected by drought events (either edaphic or hydrologic) with dramatic consequences on yield, irrigation water use and farmer's net income. To cope with drought and irrigation water shortage, different strategies are available: (i) fitting water offer to agricultural demand through the mobilisation of new resources; (ii) fitting water demand to resource offer by genetic, agronomic, regulatory, and socio-economic measures; (iii) developing local and participative water management programs; (iv) compensating production or income losses through public subsidies or private insurance systems. In this communication, we present some conclusions drawn from the recent scientific joint expertise conducted by INRA on Drought and Agriculture in 2006. Case studies from Poitou-Charentes and Midi- Pyrénées regions were selected.