Irrigation is a traditional farming practice helping to grow crops in many areas, including some of the driest. What would Egypt be without the Nile which helps feed the entire nation? Irrigation has been developed wherever the climate cannot provide a steady water supply.
In France, irrigation is often seen as a subject of controversy, yet France is lucky enough to have a plentiful water supply, even though it is not evenly distributed throughout the country or throughout the year. Irrigation is a viable way of using this water, serving the economy, adding value, bringing employment and income, and offering a rational approach to land planning and diversification.
No water, no maize
Maize is a Summer crop and the plant needs water to produce the right quality and yield. It mainly needs water when flowering, in Summer, when water from the natural environment — water tables, water courses and rainwater — is at its lowest. The quantity of water needed to grow one kilo of maize is less than for many other plant species; e.g. 590 litres for 1kg of wheat, as opposed to 450 litres for 1kg of grain maize. (CNRS figures). Farmers provide the targeted quantity of water needed by the crop and in response to weather conditions.
Joint Water Management
Maize growers have organised themselves on a local basis to manage water, getting together with other water users to save water resources. Farmers have water meters and a scheduled system of “irrigation turns”, recording how much they use and restricting consumption according to the water level. This management is done at the catchment areas which is the most critical level.
AGPM-Irrigants: representing all irrigating farmers
AGPM IRRIGANTS, set up in 1995, is a specialised section of AGPM [Association Générale des Producteurs de Maïs] for irrigating farmers growing maize, or other grains and oil and protein seed crops. AGPM IRRIGANTS in a national organisation in France and part of a European network comprised of 35 member groups covering a total of 800 000 hectares potentially under irrigation. The main objective is to have irrigation recognised as an activity in the “public interest” and to defend the interests of irrigating farmers with both French and EU authorities, through regular meetings and contact. The President of AGPM IRRIGANTS is Daniel MARTIN, a farmer from the Ain region.
Irrigation in France
Recent development of irrigation, with a steep increase after the 1976 drought.
Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) potentially irrigated
The acreage has remained fairly steady since the 1992 CAP
Acreage as reported on CAP declarations
Water used for irrigation in France
Acreage under irrigation – crop breakdown (2000)
Water resource storage: a priority for AGPM-IRRIGANTS For a number of years now, AGPM-IRRIGANTS has been advocating a pro-active policy for water storage in France. Draft legislation on water is going through the final stages, with discussion in Parliament in 2005, and this should attract support for the idea.
Irrigation – a traditional farming practice
