How to fit agricultural demand to resource availability facing drought and irrigation water shortage ?

Since 2003, Center-West and South-West of France are regularly affected or hydrologic) with dramatic consequences on yield, irrigation water use and farmers net income. To cope with drought and irrigation water shortage, different strategies are available : (i) fitting water offer to agricultural demand through the mobilisation of new resources; (ii) fitting water demand to resource offer by genetic, agronomic, regulatory, and socio-economic measures; (iii) developing local and participative water management programs; (iv) compensating production or income losses through public subsidies or private insurance systems.In this communication, we present some conclusions drawn from the recent scientific joint expertise conducted by INRA on "Drought and Agriculture" in 2006. Case studies from Poitou-Charentes and Midi-Pyrenees regions were selected.