producter in Labretonie (47)
“The cooperative will continue its important development for the next few years. […] Many changes and novelties which will take place, I hope and I am sure of it, in a continuity around the values which made the success of the cooperative. ”
Your career path ? Why did you become a producer ?
I am curious by nature and I have always been interested in science and nature. After studying engineering in agriculture, I was fortunate enough to join Unicoque’s technical team in 2010. Consulting with nuts producers allowed me to see a multitude of very varied situations and of people fulfilled in their environment. It made me want to take over the family business. I appreciate the technical side and the very diverse side of the job where we have to be involved in everything.
Why did you choose to cultivate hazelnuts and walnuts ?
It was my uncles and my father who made this choice! At the end of the 1990s, they were looking to diversify from the major crops. After several market gardening campaigns, they moved towards arboriculture and planted plum, hazelnut and walnut trees in order to have 3 complementary species to limit the risks and spread the work over the year. This choice was made because there were projects in supervised groups built around cooperatives. Especially as neighbouring smallholdings took the plunge at the same time. The highly mechanized aspect, requiring little labour and having a globally competitive cost of production with increasing demand were also determining criteria.
How long have you been a member ?
Since the end of the 1990s
What does the cooperative bring you ?
Starting from the marketing part which is essential, the link is made to the technical part in the orchard to produce what our customers want. Transversal support is offered on the whole process: technical advice, training, water resources with the design office, experimentation to meet tomorrow’s technical challenges, the administrative side, stabilization. Proximity and proactivity are Unicoque’s important qualities
How do you see the future at the cooperative?
With the 10-20-30 project, the cooperative will continue its important development for the next few years. This will involve new hectares planted, new members, new stabilization stations, a new factory ... Many changes and innovations will take place, I hope and I am sure of it, in a continuity around values that made the success of the cooperative.
Do you have plans for your operation ?
Do you have plans for your operation ?Yes, we are in the process of acquiring about twenty hectares in which we will plant hazelnut and walnut trees
3 words to describe your operation (your philosophy)?
Family, sustainable and balanced