The dry cold is biting, but a bright blue sky welcomes visitors to Bertrand Vivier's farm, in the heart of Boischaut. In the background, a stable where curious cows move, straw strewn on the ground, and farmers gathered for a meeting that resembles a war council. This January 21, 2025, the first agricultural union in Indre, the Departmental Federation of Farmers' Unions (FDSEA) and the Young Farmers (JA), begins their campaign for the professional elections to the Chamber of Agriculture.
Bertrand Vivier, today's host, recounts his journey with pride. Arriving from the north of France in 1979, he settled in 1988 on 170 hectares, with 20 suckler cows and a processing laboratory for his potatoes. Today, his local products supply canteens and restaurants in the region, but he worries: “The wireworm pierces my potatoes. I'll have to find a solution. »
“We have reached the end of the cereal system”
Northern Boischaut is suffering. Franck Laborde, member of the FNSEA national office, who came especially for the occasion, underlines this: “This year is even more difficult than the previous one for your seedlings. » Maxime Pion, a young farmer from Indre, confirms: “Already we only have 30 to 40% of sown areas, 20 to 30% have already died in certain places. »
The “perverse” effects of a cereal monoculture dominate trade. Philippe Barrault, treasurer of the FDSEA, draws a gloomy observation: “In five or six years, 20 to 30% of the farms in Boischaut Nord risk disappearing. The soils are too poor, the cereal and oil-limestone systems are no longer sufficient. » Bertrand Vivier adds: “We have reached the end of the cereal system. »
Bertrand Vivier, established in 1988 on 170 hectares, with around twenty Limousin cows and a processing laboratory for his potatoes.
© (Photo NR, Matthieu Renard)
The installation of young people, a major challenge
The heart of the discussions concerns installation and transmission. The exorbitant price of land, sometimes reaching €16,000 per hectare in Champagne Berrichonne, makes access to property impossible for young people: “How do you expect a young person to buy? This is not possible. Today, we have mega-structures being set up in Champagne Berrichonne. We arrive at structures of more than 1,000 ha. I'm not against them, but after a while, everyone has to eat.”insists Philippe Barrault. “We need solutions such as land portage, so that the new settlers can first concentrate on their work tool before repaying the purchase of land, secondly”, supports Jimmy Guerin, treasurer of Young Farmers at the national level.
-The Young Farmers of Indre and the FDSEA 36 were able to cover many subjects during this campaign meeting.
© (Photo NR, Matthieu Renard)
The current model is no longer attractive. “Today, no one wants to breednotes Maxime. Working 70 hours a week like our parents? This is no longer an option. We need to think about associations and employees. » Unions are banking on innovative projects such as agrivoltaism, where solar panels on 20 hectares would finance additional employment while supporting agricultural activity.
Reforms in sight
Farmers are also calling for structural reforms. Jérôme Tellier raises the possibility of embarking on the creation of a “green booklet”, a savings system allowing everyone to invest in French agriculture, to finance access to land for young people. “We must also review the very status of farmerinsists Philippe Barrault. Too many large companies exploit land without truly contributing to the local fabric. »
Despite the difficulties, the farmers present want to be combative. Franck Laborde concludes: “We are making progress, but we must avoid going backwards dictated by ideologies. » In the stable, discussions gradually die down, giving way to the sound of boots on straw.
