The 1is Territorial Committee for regional agricultural aid for the Gard department took place on November 15.
In order to maintain the close link between the Region and the agricultural world, President Carole Delga wanted to establish for each department an annual meeting between the Occitanie Region and professional agricultural managers. Among the latter in particular, unions, farmer representatives, Chambers of Agriculture and banking organizations. A meeting to share the results of the actions implemented and the prospects for the coming year, while this Monday, November 18 is marked by a national protest movement announced by the FDSEA, the JA and the Rural Coordination in order to reject the Mercosur free trade agreement.
€4.1M for Gard farmers
As part of the new National Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the Region has already mobilized €4.1M for Gard farmers. 89 installation projects were sustained in the Gard at the end of October, including 36% of projects led by young female farmers. “165,000 people in Occitanie work in agriculture and the agri-food industry. This committee aims to identify the challenges, obstacles, particularly administrative ones, and the tools that the Region offers,” begins Jean-Louis Cazaubon, Vice-President of the Occitanie Region in charge of Food Sovereignty, Viticulture and Mountains. One of the major challenges? The renewal of generations of farmers, while between 40 and 50% will cease their activity in ten years. “A million hectares in Occitanie will change owner or operator”, specifies the elected official for whom the food sovereignty of our country is at stake in the background.
Modernization of farms
The Region is putting its hand into its wallet, around 52 million are injected across the Region to support investment in farms. In terms of farm modernization, 28 files were supported in the Gard, including 27 agricultural holdings, for a total amount of eligible aid of 1,3M€. 58 Pass Small Investments were voted in 2023 and 2024, for more than €228,000.
Funds but also help with preparing files
“Waiting lists are growing, we must set up selection grids. Not to mention the 180 million euros less for the Region” worries the vice-president, referring to the budget cuts imposed by the State to reduce the deficit to 5%. The Region's policy in this area is intended to be “voluntarist”notes regional advisor Kathy Guyot, including a range of devices “agile”. We will note the global aid schemes, those more specific ones dedicated to small investments by operators or even the Agricultural real estate company of Occitanie, allowing access to agricultural land for a moderate rent. Devices accompanied by education from the Region's services which help with the preparation of files.
What about water use?
The plan for uprooting the vines? It is relevant only if it is accompanied by an action plan so as not to let “the surfaces torn up in the scrubland”de facto implying a sustainable policy of land use planning and water use. Agriculture is thus a link in a transversal approach combining different issues. In terms of hydraulic support Finally, 8,8M€ investments have been made in the Gard, to 6,8 M€ d’aides, in order to support farms and network managers in meeting the dual challenge of agricultural production and sustainable management of water resources. 1000 hectares were newly equipped and 32 projects carried out including network modernizations and extensions.
