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In the 1960s, the Thai government implemented a rural development program that included the extension of major irrigation schemes in the Northeast. The article deals with the evolution of land use within the Nong Wai irrigation system, which was the first to be put into service under this program. On the basis of surveys conducted over 40 years in a village close to the city of Khon Kaen, it shows that irrigation was a reason for optimism among farmers during the 1980s. Cultivated areas doubled and the concomitant Green revolution significantly increased rice fields yields. However, since then, several factors have combined to hinder the purchase and intergenerational transfer of land. A process of disagrarianization without depeasantization is in progress where land remains a capital asset rather than being a factor of production. Agriculture is no longer the primary reason for the transfer of ownership of irrigated land in the peri-urban village as it is increasingly converted into residential land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since Independence, the Tunisian State has tried to solve the problem of youth unemployment, particularly in rural areas. For this purpose, the government allocated irrigated State lands to young people. In Gaâfour, 98 young farmers received 2.5 or 3.5 ha plots. Our results show that 50% of the allocated plots are given in lease. Although illegal, land leasing ensures production continuity and values the hydro-agricultural infrastructure. It creates employment for other young farmers. It allows some beneficiaries to extend their farm and make it viable. Allocating State lands to young farmers could be more effective to create jobs if allocation conditions were revised and State services were more active in technical and financial support to farmers and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]