This study has been carried out in two irrigation schemes of the Northern Province (Dingleydale and New Forest) of South Africa. The studied area takes place in former homelands areas (Lebowa, Gazankulu). This region is submitted to a sub-tropical climate. The infrastructures were built during the apartheid era, in order to provide employment and food to the local black population. Currently, the farmers crop from 1 to 10 hectares, producing maize in the summer and vegetables, mainly in winter. Following the National Water Act of 1998 and its new institutional frame, the South-African government tends currently to Withdraw from its ownership and commitments in small-scale irrigation schemes. Ownership, management and maintenance of infrastructures are to be transferred to farmers (Irrigation Management Transfer process). In the Northern Province, this process has started in several pilot schernes. It includes the rehabilitation of infrastructures before transfer and the establishment of farmers' Water User's Association, wlùch are to take over ownership and collective management of the scheme. This study has been carried out in collaboration with the consultant team in charge of the ITM project. The report first considers the evolution of the agrarian system during the 20th century. It shows declining soil fertility. due to the increasing disconnection between agriculture and cattle rearing, and to the remoteness of the cultivated plots. Then, the diversity of the farmers' situations has been highlighted through the use of typological techniques, Nine household types have been identified within the schemes, and thorough economic analysis has been carried out. Particularly, some -vulnerable types of farmers have been identified, whose plight might worsen after the transfer. On the other hand, efficient and dynamic farms have also been detected. They might become bigger and more integrated within commercial circuits. The management of water distribution has also been