For the EIA, 2012 will be enlightened by a key event: The European Irrigation Days organized in partnership between the EIA and the IRSTEA former cemagref/ Lermi at Aix-en-Provence (France), from March 13 to March 15, 2012.

The European Irrigation days include 2 days training (1 class for Landscape/Turf irrigation audit  & 1 class for Ag irrigation planning - both in English & French - on March 13 & March 14  and a DAY of conferences and trade-show, on MARCH 15, with as general topic:

Irrigation in search of new "sources" of economy

Manufacturers, importers, distributors, contractors, students, users are all welcome! For these  which would like to exhibit their products or services, a basic stand of 6 m2 can be booked. As space and numbers of booths are limited, if you are interested, you have to register soon ! Write asap to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

With such an event, showing the best of our industry, we will certainly initiate a top QUALITY irrigation season !   

All the Best         C.J. Rouxel        Jan 2012

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Paulo Felix is the Business Development & Marketing Manager of the FLUID HANDLING & IRRIGATION Division (Cepex) of the FLUIDRA Group (Spain). He has worked for more than 15 years in the Irrigation business and so in various locations around the world. Paulo speaks at least 4 languages and is very dedicated to modern sustainable irrigation systems and water savings.

The new President and the Directors thank very much Olivier Debart  and wish him succes in his new carreer. We will remember how active he was in the organization of the 2010 IRRIGATION DAYS.

Thanks to the FARMING FIRST coalition, Christian J. Rouxel had the opportunity to speak on behalf of the European Irrigation Association at the GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY and CLIMATE CHANGE on November 3, at The Hague. The presentation ran during the Lunch side event with a full room, on the topics of actions, contribution of the IRRIGATION INDUSTRY to help developing countries to ensure food security and to fight the consequences of climate change. After explaining the benefits of the modern irrigation  i.e. better yield with less water, C. Rouxel was asked to present a concrete case tour. He selected "IRRIGATION KITS IN THE SAHEL". Several delegates from African governments asked questions on the drip technology and after the session collected contacts infos on the main manufacturers. The presence of Kofi Annan was well appreciated.

The event was a wonderful way to show how risponsable is the European Irrigation Industry and to demonstrate the benefits of the transfer of technology. The challenge being to increase by 70% the Agriculture production to feed the whole population in 2050.      

  We have just been informed that  Jean-Paul Séchoy passed away.       From 1996 and for several years, Jean-Paul coordinated the operations at the EIA (European Irrigation Association). He performed such task with his professionalism acquired at Irrifrance and with great knowledge of the international market. His kindness and availability were largely  appreciated. He created the EIA strategic Committee which defined the missions of the Association. He organized and lead the 1st EIA Congress in Sevilla, in 1999. For personal and  understandable reasons, he left the EIA after having largely contributed to the development of the Association, in particular in the field of training in modern irrigation techniques.We had the pleasure to welcome Jean-Paul at the 15^th anniversary of the EIA event, in Aix en Provence, last March. President Olivier Debart, the Directors and the General Delegate Christian Rouxel convey their condolences and their best thoughts to Jean-Paul’s family. For the EIA board of Directors,

C.J.Rouxel