PODCAST – Nicolas Chabanne, founder of the brand C’est qui le Patron: “If we want to save farmers, something must happen this year”

26% of producers live below the poverty line. Every week, 200 of them go out of business. French agriculture is doing badly and producers need help. The C’est qui le Patron cooperative, created in 2015, fights for them. Entrepreneur Nicolas Chabanne founded the cooperative. It allows partner producers to be better remunerated by spending a few cents more on the purchase of the products sold (fruit juices, milk cartons, eggs, etc.). This is who the Boss is full of initiatives to help farmers more. Nicolas Chabanne presents his projects in the podcast of those who have a positive impact on society and the world, to listen to above. The show is broadcast every Saturday afternoon on LCI, channel 26 of TNT.

Nicolas Chabanne proposes to make agriculture a major national cause by 2025. “If we want to save farmers, something must happen this year, it’s vital. We are all concerned, they feed us every day. In 50 years, more than a million producers have disappeared, there is no “There are only 395,000 left. Half will retire in the coming years.”

Combative, involved, he deplores a lack of sense on the part of political leaders: “Some things are moving forward, but without fair remuneration for farmers’ work, nothing will be resolved. Imports are becoming more complicated, we have to bet on what we produce near us.” He recalls that the brand has recently become the best-selling in France over the last ten years. “We have sold 500 million sticks of butter, we have 3,500 partner producers. We are a consumer cooperative and we return the money earned to the producers. There are other initiatives that are similar to ours such as Faire France or La Petite Brique Rose. Supermarket shelves need to offer more of these products. I understand that there are many other emergencies for the French. But eating remains the most important.

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As consumers, we have the power to act

In stores, potatoes, rice and milk from the C’est qui le Patron brand remain the most popular products. Nicolas Chabanne reminds us that consumers have their role to play in helping the agricultural world: “We have to decide when it comes to our purchases. It’s everyone’s business. The products still need to exist.” The brand claims that its partner farmers increased their turnover by 2.1 times while reducing their stress levels by half. “Producers tell us the fair remuneration allowing them to live with dignity from their work. We offer them a zero-interest loan, to allow farmers to continue to carry out their activity peacefully and sometimes to save it. We also provide them with a emergency aid, a helping hand to help them meet their immediate needs”describes the brand on its site.

Nicolas Chabanne wants to improve the sharing of value. He created a foundation dedicated to producers. “This Producers’ Protection House becomes unsaleable and no one will be able to ensure that they are paid less”concludes the entrepreneur.