Kuper M. auteur aut IRD Bouarfa S. auteur aut IRD Errahj M. auteur aut IRD Faysse N. auteur aut IRD Hammani A. auteur aut IRD Hartani T. auteur aut IRD Marlet S. auteur aut IRD Zairi A. auteur aut IRD Bahri A. auteur aut IRD Debbarh A. auteur aut IRD Garin Patrice auteur aut IRD Jamin J. Y. auteur aut IRD Vincent B. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access We designed and implemented an action-research programme in large-scale irrigation schemes in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, aiming to develop a regional network of competences by conducting research, training and development activities, and involving local actors. We worked on three issues: (i) the sustainability of North Africa's growing groundwater economy, (ii) the integration of environmental constraints in the management of irrigated agriculture, and(iii) the analysis of new coordination modes of agricultural production and rural development in traditionally centrally managed irrigation schemes. Based on 11 empirical studies, we contributed to operationalizing a new praxis in irrigation management; this learning-oriented and network-based approach enables mobilization of the knowledge of a wide range of actors, as well as linking local knowledge systems to more universal ones. This approach is necessary to support family-based agriculture to continue to face recurrent droughts, feed the urban and rural populations, develop rural territories and integrate the rural youth. specialized irrigation management praxis groundwater environmental constraints coordination modes North Africa 062 076 58 Sp. Iss. Suppl. 3 S231-S239 2009 1531-0353 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010046271 10.1002/ird.533 1531-0353 [F B010046271] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010046271 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2009/08/010046271.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2009-09-01 2017-08-23 fdi:010046271 fre