Does irrigation decrease in France? First insights from the 2010 agricultural census

Abstract

The analysis of the 2010 agricultural census data provides an overview of the current situation of irrigation in France and the main evolutions since 2000. Despite an apparent stability of the irrigated area, due to a 2010 dry spring requiring unusually high irrigation levels, we highlight, for the first time in 40 years, a reduction in the irrigable area (i.e. the area that can be irrigated). This reduction mainly concerns the South of France and areas irrigated by collective irrigation systems. The orientations of the Common Agricultural Policy, the progressive implementation of the Water Framework Directive and an economic context more favorable to rainfed crops compared to irrigated ones are the main factores explaining this irrigation decrease. We highlight that these evolutions risk however complicating water management both at the watershed level and at the collective irrigation system level.