La durabilité de l’arboriculture irriguée dans le sud-ouest de la France : des injonctions paradoxales

Abstract

Climate change in south-west France is characterised by a shift from a temperate oceanic climate to a Mediterranean one, presenting major challenges for irrigated agriculture in the Lot-et-Garonne department. Ensuring sustainability in the face of increasing water scarcity is critical, as the agricultural sector is caught in a complex dynamic between maintaining high production and conserving water. The declining availability of irrigation water due to climate change is a major concern. Field research in Lot-et-Garonne conducted in 2022 and 2023 with stakeholders in the prune, kiwi and hazelnut sectors highlighted three key findings: an increasing shift toward more technical and industrialised production methods; the development of both collective and individual irrigation strategies, including frost protection measures; and a notable disconnect between public policy decisions and local expectations, as evidenced by persistent agricultural protests.

Keywords

• agriculture
• irrigation
• climate change
• rules
• agricultural policy