At the Agricultural Show, Midi Libre opens the debate on the vital issue of installation, young people and transmission

Olivier Biscaye, directeur de la rédaction entouré d'invités prestigieux. MIDI LIBRE

Il s'agit d'une thématique d’actualité pour de nombreux exploitants qui posent la question e l’installation, de l’emploi, de la formation, de la manière dont on suscite les vocations. 

The numbers don't lie. Within ten years, one in three farmers in Occitania will retire. "In Gard, 45% of farmers are over 55 years old, the question of renewal is therefore fundamental", recalls Magali Saumade, president of the Gard Chamber of Agriculture. If her department displays an encouraging number of installations, 250 in 2022, she considers it necessary to strengthen support as close as possible to young entrepreneurs.

This is the vocation of the Installation Reception Point, at the heart of the chambers of agriculture, which "secures projects, develops the development plan and costing. On all these points, we must gain in simplification", believes Magali Saumade who pleads for a single window for transmission "with means".

8,000 hectares dedicated to installation in 2023

Dominique Granier, the president of Safer Occitanie, says nothing else. "We need a vision and funding to promote generational renewal. Everyone must do their part", he comments, detailing the measures implemented by Safer.

"Last year, we dedicated 8,000 hectares to the installation, that's good, but more must be done to reduce the cost of the installation. Above all, let's be inventive, we could imagine that savers would come together to buy land which would then be rented. Let's not stand still!", he insists, citing a measure carried out by Safer: "An endowment fund of 200,000 euros to take care of notarial acts. This is a sum of 2,000 euros per file, 200 farmers have already taken this chance.

"Need reassurance"

As for the Occitanie Region, elected officials worked on a Plan for the installation and transfer of farms worth 190 million euros over five years. "In 2021, we launched the first agricultural real estate. By purchasing agricultural land from banking organizations, the Region has enabled young farmers to settle down for a moderate rent , welcomes Vincent Labarthe, vice-president of the Region in charge of Agriculture and Agricultural Education. Thus, Occitanie has nearly 2,500 installations per year. "And we grant a bonus of 2,000 euros for the installation of farmers!"

Annabelle Decoursière is not completely convinced by this particular measure. "Let's not make any differences!", advocates this market gardener from Hérault and vice-president of Jeunes Agriculteurs, responsible for the installation and promoting the profession. After working as a hairdresser and assistant director of a leisure center, Annabelle returned "to the family land".

She knows the entire process of creating the company well. "In my department, there are 600 potential project leaders., that's good! Everyone needs to be reassured about the future of agriculture and the relevance of the project to ensure that it meets the needs of consumers. This is essential. We need everyone for this." Play collectively, a line that our guests consider "obligatory".

The video of the debate can be found on Midilibre.fr