Lot-et-Garonne, historic department of market gardening with its Marmande tomato and emblematic productions such as strawberries, plum d'Ente and hazelnut, will host November 21 and 22 on 67e French Vegetable Congress. The event, co-organized by Vegetables from France and the FDSEA of Lot-et-Garonne, will take place at the Agen exhibition center and hopes to welcome the new Minister of Agriculture.
Need to maintain commitments made
Bruno Vilaco-president of Légumes de France, welcomes this appointment as “good news which allows us to finally have a contact person since last July and the sudden end of the projects”, mentions the manager. He wants a resumption of the commitments listed in the agricultural orientation law, in particular for all of agriculture “recognition of its major interest at the national level”. For the vegetable sector, but also arboriculture and viticulture, the first ministerial file will be the sustainability of the DEATH allowing exemption from charges on casual workers. “A decisive decision for the competitiveness of our operations”, comments Bruno Vila, greenhouse grower in the south of France.
“We also need to maintain the commitments made as part of the Food Sovereignty plan with new investment and modernization aid windows,” asks the manager. And the speed of use of the different envelopes released in 2024 testifies to their interest. “These means are essential to achieve the gains of +5% in food sovereignty set for 2030 and +10% in 2035,” he assures. Among other requests, theEuropean harmonization means of crop protection and the simplification of all admiring procedures will be desired by the delegates during the expected, and hoped for, meeting with the minister.
“Women, a future for agriculture”
Two round tables will also host the two days of debate. One entitled “Women, a future for agriculture” will be introduced by François Purseiglea sociologist who has worked on changes in operating models, with a focus on the place of women who represent 22% of operating managers. Several interventions by women advisors, operators and presidents will lead the debate. “How can we imagine vegetable production in ten or thirty years? », “What productions? “, ” Or ? » will be the questions asked to Serge Zaka, expert in climate changefollowed by a round table. “It is important to anticipate solutions to avoid the catastrophic impact of climate change,” assures with experience Bruno Vila, also president of the FDSEA of the Pyrénées-Orientales. “This congress will be an opportunity to set a course for the coming years, a necessary course for our entire sector,” concludes Cyril Pogu, the other co-president of Légumes de France.
Nathalie Binda: “I found my place with my skills”
Nathalie Binda is one of the linchpins of this 67e French Vegetable Congress. Originally from Lot-et-Garonne, she shares responsibility for a cereal crop (120 hectares) and greenhouse crops (6.5 hectares) with her brothers near Nérac. “I found my place very easily. We divided the functions according to our skills. Mine is not driving a tractor,” she jokes. The round table “Women, a future for agriculture” is therefore a reality for her. Especially since Nathalie Binda is, among other things, responsible for the farm staff, more than 55 people in season, mostly women. In addition, she also assumes the presidency of the Cadralbret cooperativewhich is also headed by a woman. As such, the structure is a step ahead given the low representation of women in decision-making areas of agriculture.
