THE first truffles will soon come out of the ground and Uzege. With climatic conditions conducive to tuber melanospores especially rain in spring, “the season looks promising”, slide Louis Teulle, president of the Union of Truffle Growers of Gard, before qualifying: “But the truffle, as long as it is not in a mess, we must not move forward!”
Indeed, if there was no real shortage of water this season, “watering is and will remain a primary issue”. Two years ago in particular, the usage restrictions have had a significant impact on producers. Decisions made by a Water Management Committee where the voice of truffle growers is carried by only one representative, the Chamber of Agriculture.
Carry out the voice of the truffle growers of Gard
And this is indeed one of the three main axes of action of the Truffle Growers Union: represent producers with the public authorities in order to be considered as an agricultural sector in its own right.
“Progress has really been made over the past 20 years, we are moving forward. We can say that we have left the Middle Ages”, smiles Louis Teulle. But the preconceived ideas have a hard life and the image of an accessory production, as in the 18the century, continues. So, the sector carries out concrete actions such as truffle field mapping, distinguishing those which are watered from those cultivated dry. “This allowed us to determine water needs, by watershed. These results were transmitted to the DDTM.”
Louis Teulle also puts forward the numerous arguments which make truffle farming a link in the spirit of the times of agriculture today : “It is a complementary production, it helps combat the fire risk, there is no use of phytosanitary products, the water requirement is calculated…”. Aspects to which is added eco-tourism impact of truffle farming, whether by enlivening the territory during off-peak periods and serving as wine leader For example.
“The truffle and the white wines of the Duchy of Uzès are a marriage that lasts”,
Louis Teulle, president of the Gard Truffle Growers Union.
Act one real status for truffle farming would make it possible in particular to obtain help with planting. “If not, in a few years there will be nothing left. When I see how they are helped in Spain…”. The president of the Union, on the other hand, underlines a real local support, whether on the part of the Municipality of Uzès or the Community of communes Pays d'Uzès. “It has almost become natural to have a truffle weekend, but what the City, the CCPU, and for two years Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie are doing, is unique. It’s a big budget, and there is material assistance, our offices…”. A win-win relationship with production that shines on all of Uzège.
Linking Uzège truffles to the local economy
And to anchor this even more agro-tourism in the territory, Louis Teulle and the Union have developed links with other stakeholders in local agriculture. “The truffle invites to be accompanied by a glass of wine. And with the whites of the Duchy of Uzès, it is a marriage that lasts. We therefore work with the Syndicat du Duchy and the Agricultural Promotion Committee. One thing is Sure, what the three of us do we couldn't do alone, whether in terms of communication or events.”
A truffle between €800 and €1,200 per kilo in Uzège this season
The promotion of the scam passes through the windows of the Uzès truffle weekend, the Saint-Quentin day, the truffle cabin… Enough to enhance this luxury product, while making it accessible. “The prices are consistent. They are determined both by canners in wholesale markets and by producers for sale to individuals. They should oscillate between €800 and €1,200 per kilo. Without forgetting that there is no no need to buy a kilo for a meal for four people, 60 grams is enough.” These events also allow us to emphasize the seasonality of truffles by empowering and training the consumer.
Scientific techniques essential to truffle farming
Finally, the axis training of truffle growers is also one of the roles, even the main role, of the Union. “We must share scientific developments. Pruning, tillage, measurement of the PH level, probe for watering needs, in the face of climatic conditions, we could not develop without all of this”. Of the “popularization” operations are therefore regularly organized, such as the conferences planned after the general assembly of the Union. Techniques to integrate for sustain truffle farming.
Better understand tuber melanosporum
At the end of the general meeting of Union of truffle growers of Gard, Friday November 15, 2024, at the town hall of Uzès, two conferences aroused the curiosity and attention of the producers present. Some of the neighboring departments had made the trip.
Bernard Assenat takes stock of the investigation Sports reputation in progress, supported by INRAE. She does it census of diversification truffle groves: pruning, tillage, watering, sowing. Genetic research is carried out with the aim of better understanding the dynamics of the truffle.
Another interest for the public present, the conference Diversity and role of vegetation in truffle groves, hosted by Elisa bags, presenting the work she is carrying out with Franck Richard and Montan Gautier. Comment rethink truffle farming by studying spontaneous truffle beds, until now little represented? Analyze the fauna and flora of these places and how they play a role in production? The heat increases, the hydrometry decreases, what are the interactions of biodiversity in wild truffle groves and in planted truffle groves? So many themes analyzed during this research.
“It also means understanding the history and work of men, the study of micro-organisms, surrounding plants, “companion” plants favorable to mycorrhization, the organisms present. All these studies, still in progress at the 'currently, will allow us to understand production. The best observers are the truffle growers!
“Watering and pruning are not enough to ensure production, new research will allow harvests to be maintained or even increased,” concludes Louis Teulle, president of the Union of Truffle Growers of Gard, who was delighted with the hundred people present that evening.
