Simon Sabathier, from Aveyron from Combret, is in the final of the French Cup for Young Entrepreneurs

Simon Sabathier, de Combret, veut développer une activité agritouristique. D.R – CHRISTIAN RIVIERE/UNIVERSITE DE TOULOUSE

Le Sud Aveyronnais, entrepreneur social, va représenter la région Midi-Pyrénées à la finale de la coupe de France de la Social Cup 2024 avec son projet baptisée Aqui Ba Pla !

What is the starting point of your project, tell us ?

Originally from Combret, I studied higher education in Toulouse where I very quickly became aware of the lack of knowledge of the agricultural world. I felt the need to challenge myself and invest in a project that was particularly close to my heart. Defending agriculture at its true value and developing an agritourism activity were the two triggering points of the project.

How did you go from the idea of ​​the concept to the realization of the project ?

I took the time to meet local stakeholders in my area (institutional, farmers, tourist office…). The observation was there: a growing demand from tourists to visit farms and a desire from farmers to share their profession but with a problem: the lack of time to organize the visits.

Aqui Ba Pla, seems to be the concept tailor-made for farmers ?

Exactly! The farmer shows his farm and I manage the communication, reservations and organization of the visits for them. The idea is that farmers have as few constraints as possible.

How strong is Aqui Ba Pla today 63~

Starting from scratch in 2022, Aqui Ba Pla today represents a network of 15 farmers in different sectors (sheep, cattle, poultry…). Nine farms will be open at
the visit for the season!

Already winner of several awards around this concept, what motivates you to compete ?

Helping raise awareness of the issues and problems in the agricultural world motivates me. I make it a point of honor to promote agriculture and Aveyron beyond its borders!

If you win this final, what will it bring you concretely ?

This is a renowned competition which will inevitably bring notoriety to my project and new perspectives. The goal is for our farmers to be in the spotlight.

What is the Social cup ?

The Social Cup aims to reward innovative social entrepreneurship projects in order to encourage young talents aged 18 to 30 in the creation of a project with a positive environmental or social impact. Selected among the 12 finalists out of 251 applications, Simon Sabathier represents the Midi Pyrénées region. A final based on public votes: To support his Aqui Ba Pla project and allow him to win the Coupe de France, you can support him by voting. Simply send the letter B by SMS to 07 57 91 19 75 (free number) until March 6, 8:10 p.m.

In your opinion, what place does agritourism have in the landscape ?

Agritourism conquers every year the hearts of lovers of nature, authenticity, and meetings with those who will experience our companions. In the current context, this initiative takes on its full meaning and has a good reason to exist.

What message did you want to convey through Aqui Ba Pla ?

« Aqui va plan » means in Occitan « Everything is fine here. The objective is to translate rural know-how and transmit a positive image of agriculture. Shut up ? It’s time to open it!

The final word ?

To support my project and the Midi Pyrénées region, vote for letter B.