Une action collective analysée par ses acteurs : une association d'irrigants en Tunisie

Abstract

In Tunisia, studies of water user associations have often diagnosed mediocre performances. However, these studies provided incomplete assessments of the factors influencing these performances. In the present study, the actors involved in a water user association gave their viewpoints with regards to the objectives of the association and the factors influencing its performance. They did so by commenting on examples based on collective action theories adapted to the specific situation of their association. These actors were the farmers, the members of the management committee and the salaried personnel of the association and staff members of the local administration. The contrasted analyses proposed by the actors enabled a better understanding of their expectations vis-à-vis the association and of their relations. The use of collective action theories as an elicitation tool offers an innovative path to highlight the stumbling blocks which impede performance improvements.