Jean-Baptiste, 29
producer in Hagetaubin (64)

“Cooperation is an extraordinary philosophy. The fact that farmers have decided to come together to have greater collective strength in order to meet the ever-increasing demands is an important dimension in my view.”

jean-baptiste

Your career path ? Why did you become a producer ?

After the baccalaureat, two fields appealed to me: medicine and agriculture. I tried the medicine entrance exam for 2 years without success, so then I naturally turned to agriculture. After 2 years of BTS I joined Bordeaux Sciences Agro where I followed the course of agricultural engineer via an apprenticeship. The 3 years spent in the same company in the Lot et Garonne made me want to set up and work with my father on the family farm.

What do you cultivate ?

The main activity is hazelnuts but we also grow vegetables under contract (sweetcorn, green beans), grain corn and sunflowers. Our set-up today covers approximately 120 hectares

Producteur Unicoque Jean-Baptiste

Why did you choose to cultivate hazelnuts and walnuts ?

In 1990 the choice of hazelnut was made for three reasons. The first was to develop land that was poorly suited to the sweetcorn culture predominant at that time. The second was in anticipation of the change of Common Agricultural Policy in 1992 in order to limit the agricultural holding’s dependence on European aid. In addition, my father’s farm at the time needed to generate a new income. With my arrival at the end of 2015 we chose to continue planting hazelnuts. Indeed all the training was turned towards arboriculture and it is a real passion for me. It is therefore natural that I turned to hazelnuts since I knew that I could count on both 30 years of experience in the exploitation but also on a competent cooperative tool attentive to the different territories.

What varieties of hazelnuts and/or walnuts ?

Today we have five varieties of hazelnuts on the holding: Tonda di giffoni, Paouetet, Segrobe, Ennis et Corabel

How long have you been a member ?

We have been members since 1990

Producteur Unicoque Jean-Baptiste

What does the cooperative bring you ?

The cooperative brings us technical and commercial experience that is difficult to have individually. In addition, cooperation is an extraordinary philosophy. The fact that farmers have decided to come together to have greater collective strength in order to meet the ever-increasing demands is an important aspect for me.

How do you see the future at the cooperative?

I think that all the producers have built a powerful tool resolutely turned towards the future. Anticipation is paramount and I think Unicoque always has this idea in mind.

Do you have plans for your operation ?

The future projects of my operation are to perpetuate the newly established plantations and then to continue to develop the hazelnut workshop.

3 words to describe your operation (your philosophy)?

Family, Change, Cooperative