In Gard, 4.1 million euros have been mobilized by the Occitanie Region in favor of agriculture over the period 2023/2024.
Jean-Louis Cazaubon, Aurélie Genolher and Katy Guyot for agriculture in the Region and Gard (Photo Anthony Maurin)
At a time when the world of agriculture is questioning itself and taking its future into its own hands, the Region continues the support it provides to this sector. Here are some numbers.
In Gard, the Territorial Committee was held on November 15 at the Maison de Ma Région in Nîmes.
« The Occitanie region has never invested so much in its farmers. Since 2016, the budget dedicated to agriculture has more than doubled. This has helped consolidate the sector as the leading regional employer and a driving force in our economy. We have always been at their side to support them and prepare for the future. This involves the modernization of farms, better water management or even the installation of young people, which I have made a priority. In Gard, more than four million euros have been mobilized in recent months in favor of farmers. In the department as everywhere in Occitanie, we prove that, despite the difficulties, it is possible to build a quality regional agricultural model, which must offer better living conditions to our farmers. » declared the president of the Occitanie Region Carole Delga.
89 installation projects were supported at the end of October by the Region, 36% of which were led by young farmers. There are also 252 people advised on pre- or post-installation.
Carole Delga, president of the Occitanie Region. (Photo: Objectif Gard)
When we think about modernizing farms, there too we have figures. 28 applications supported including 27 agricultural operations and a cooperative for the use of agricultural equipment, for a total amount of eligible aid of 1.3 million euros. We also note 58 “Small Investment Passes” voted in 2023 and 2024, for more than 228,000 euros, 86 beneficiaries of the FOSTER guarantee fund which improves access to bank loans for operators for 10.7 million euros .
This represents some 233 jobs supported and a leverage effect of 12 million euros in investments.
The world is changing and mentalities are evolving. The region has not forgotten this and the agro-ecological transition is a vector of renewal in the sector.
Sustainable agriculture contracts (CAD), which make it possible to finance personalized support time for farmers to define their agroecological transition project over 5 years by structures previously selected by the Region, are a hit with 46 validated requests, 39 of which already carried out. Five structures selected and 15 counselors trained.
FDSEA Gard (Photo Anthony Maurin)
Support for hydraulics is also present. 8.8 million euros of investments are made for 6.8 million euros of aid to support farms and network managers in meeting the dual challenge of agricultural production and sustainable resource management in water.
In all? 32 projects! 13 modernizations, two network extensions, 17 individual reservoirs for an estimated total of 3.8 million cubic meters of water saved and 1,000 hectares newly equipped.
