Ici on Sème – France

CONTEXT

Trees lost their importance in agricultural systems in the 1960s and 1980s due to intensive restructuring. While agroforestry is now recognized as a 100% agricultural practice, this was not the case about 10 years ago.

It was only in May 2010 that regulatory measures were taken to encourage the planting of trees in crops. Since then, agroforestry practices have developed a lot in France. It shows a growing interest from farmers, whether conventional or organic. They are interested in the economic aspect (value of wood, biomass), but also in the issues of biodiversity and soil fertility (auxiliaries, organic matter…).

• Ici On Sème – Loire Garonne is located on a very diversified territory, between the Atlantic coast and the Massif Central. Livestock and crops are found side by side, as well as large wine-growing areas, each with their own challenges. Livestock farming is strongly impacted by low world prices and climate change with droughts that increase the cost of fodder and reduce the food autonomy of farms. Field crops are also impacted by successive droughts and share with viticulture the challenge of reducing the use of phytosanitary products for environmental and health reasons.
• Ici On Sème – Nord is located in a very large area including the Hauts de France, Ile de France and Champagne-Ardennes. Agriculture in this area is characterized by large plains with little woodland, where the main agricultural productions are cereal and industrial crops. In this area, the intensification of practices has often led to a significant decrease in biodiversity and an increase in agricultural soil erosion.
• Ici On Sème – Mediterranean, profound changes have taken place in farm activities. The regression of pastoral breeding (sheep, goats, etc.) has led to the scrubland being overgrown, which favours the development of fires. The overproduction of wine led to a massive plan to grub up vines at the end of the 20th century and foreign competition led to a drastic reduction in the surface area of fruit trees as well as peaches. Cereals are more and more difficult to produce with the increase in temperatures and the strain on the use of water.

ROLE OF PUR PROJET / ICI ON SEME

The planting projects are carried out by the farmers themselves. Through the Ici On Sème program, PUR Projet accompanies farmers and foresters in designing environmental projects and connecting them with financial partners. The Ici On Sème team of agronomists:

• Identifies and analyzes projects by ensuring they have a good understanding of the territory and the needs,
  Design and accompany the projects,
  Ensures the follow-up of the projects with the project owners to guarantee the success and the good realization.

BENEFITS

The integration of trees in production systems has several aims: protecting plots against the excesses of phytosanitary treatments in the area, developing functional and wildlife biodiversity in farming, increasing the profitability of agricultural land, protecting animals, crops and equipment, controlling water, conserving soils, controlling micro-climates, enhancing landscapes, diversifying income (fruit trees), etc. All these benefits achieve maximum productivity while remaining fully aware of the environmental stakes.