VULNERABILITY AND WATER MANAGEMENT

This study was conducted as part of a research programme entitled CRIQUE “Hydraulic Crises and perception of environmental risk” which calls on different research teams from six Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Spain, Portugal and France). More precisely, this programme aims to analyse the risks connected with agricultural irrigation and the manner in which risk is perceived and managed by the local people concerned. It is carried out in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean and adopts an approach comparing North and South through the creation of a database of surveys. For this study, a method was favoured that approaches the concept of risk through the notions of control, vulnerability, dependence or confidence. Two lines of enquiry in particular were selected:- The social dimension of the relationship to irrigation techniques, from the techniques practiced to the experience of risk; or, in other words, a description of the social logic of using of these techniques (control, fragility, dependence, uncertainty and anticipatory behaviour).