Irrigation Optimization in the Jordan Valley: Main lessons learnt (2000 - 2004) Rémy COURCIER & Charlotte GUERIN French Regional Mission for Agriculture and Water Abstract In a context of water scarcity, the optimization of water use in agriculture is essential. In the Jordan Valley, the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) is managing the water resource. Both JVA and farmers have greatly improved their techniques in the past decades. Nevertheless, many improvements, both technical and organizational, can still be achieved to optimize irrigation in the Jordan Valley. Therefore, in cooperation with JVA and farmers, the French Mission for Agriculture and Water has been demonstrating in pilot areas how improvements of water management are possible. At the level of the JVA network, an equal distribution of water among farmers has been the main objective. This requires ensuring the same flow, pressure and quality for each farmer. In parallel, on-farm techniques and methods improving the efficiency of water distribution have been demonstrated, then adopted and developed by many farmers.