Last winter, Pierre-Alban mobilized with his comrades from the Rural Coordination, the second agricultural union. He is preparing to do it again to protest against the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur (alliance of South American countries), which will be the subject of a debate this Tuesday 26 November in the National Assembly. This agreement is not the only reason that pushes the farmer to demonstrate. He does it above all to express his tiredness of the lack of remuneration, even of a system in which price volatility prevents any visibility. And the young farmer knows what he’s talking about: his farm is now in serious financial difficulty.
Rising costs against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine
In 2021. With his wife Marie he purchased this farm, the cultivation part of which is organic. The thirty-year-old is seduced by this well-equipped operation; has a crop sorting platform, which allows it to offer services similar to those of a cooperative.
He works tirelessly in the operation but, as the months pass, the difficulties accumulate. First of all, it is the costs that increase in a context of war in Ukraine, in particular diesel fuel, which weigh even more on an organic farm: not being able to resort to chemicals, there are numerous tractor trips to weed. “The liter of diesel which cost around 0.95 euros, 1 euro including VAT, has risen to 1.65 euros. Within a year I lost 18,000 euros in cash,” explains Pierre-Alban. Inflation is not limited to diesel, the increase in the price of the nitrogen unit has had repercussions on the organic fertilizer used by the farmer: its cost has increased by 40%.
An increasingly unpredictable climate
And as if this wasn’t enough, in recent years the couple has had to deal with climate risks. A rainy summer in 2021, which makes crop management more complex, is followed by a drought in 2022. “historical”. In December 2022 the farmer, unable to pay himself, is forced to separate from his employee. A grueling year followed for Pierre-Alban and Marie due to the workload.
At the same time, exploitation will have to be confronted “the scissors effect”. Because after the increase in costs, with the crisis of the organic market, prices will collapse. “A ton of soft wheat, which in 2022 was equal to 380 euros, drops to 230 euros in 2023, specifies Pierre-Alban. At the time of my predecessor the ton amounted to around 400, 500 euros. My forecast plan based on these prices had therefore become obsolete. »
Faced with these not sufficiently profitable prices, and also faced with the technical complexity of organic cultivation, the couple decided to leave. And last summer, Marie found a job outside the home to provide the family’s income.
Diversify sources of income
If he can better control crops under the conventional model, the farmer will always have to deal with prices “too fair to offset the cost of repaying the loans.” But Pierre-Alban is not discouraged. In recent months the farm has diversified: the young man fattens pigs for direct sale, tries his hand at field vegetables by growing pumpkins, and also rethinks the functioning of the herd to limit the purchase of animals and thus be more independent .
Again to supplement his income, the breeder also held courses in agricultural high schools. “I reiterated to the kids that they had to prepare and advised them to gain experiences outside the family context before taking over their parents’ farm, says Pierre-Alban. Because today, when we leave training, we are not ready to be at the helm of a farm with what this entails in terms of administrative burdens and financial management. »
Containing outbursts of anger
Under pressure, with liquidity dried up despite the aid from the European Common Agricultural Policy representing 30% of his turnover, he has already had outbursts of anger, wanting to go out with his tractor to do damage in front of the prefecture. But he held back, just as he holds back those who are tempted to lose patience during demonstrations. His union commitment within the Rural Coordination also prevented him from finding himself isolated.
That morning he found Hervé and Bruno, also working in Rural Coordination. The first passed the family tree business ten years ago to his son Joris. The second will do the same in two years, his son Samuel wants to take over the farm organically (raising laying hens and cereals).
But the two men have a rather bleak view of the future of agriculture if nothing changes. “I did everything so that Joris wouldn’t start again,” confides Hervé. Bruno did not try to discourage his son, but he did not hide the reality from him. “Agriculture is not a dream, it is concrete. So yes, we have to dream. But the dream must confront reality for it to have meaning and value. confide. Pierre-Alban listens and blurts out: “If someone had told me that I would find myself in a situation like this three years after the climb, I would have turned away. » Despite everything, he remains confident; he recently turned to the Peasant Solidarity movement for support.
An increasingly intense mobilization
The majority union the FNSEA, and its ally, the Young Farmers, have once again launched an appeal for mobilization for three days until Thursday 28 November.
Rural coordination plans «of amplifier» in mobilization beyond the South-West where its action has been concentrated in recent days. The second agricultural union intends to demonstrate on Tuesday 26 November in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
For its part, the Peasant Confederation in particular he plans an action in the Dordogne that same day.
theprofessional elections scheduled for January 2025 is no stranger to the mobilization of trade unions. The Rural Coordination, which currently has three, hopes to rejoice “15 to 20 rooms” further agriculture to the now hegemonic FNSEA-JA alliance
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What are the main challenges farmers like Pierre-Alban face in today’s agricultural landscape?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Agriculture Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today we have a special guest, Dr. Camille Bernard, an expert in agricultural economics, to discuss the current challenges faced by farmers like Pierre-Alban. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Bernard.
Dr. Bernard: Thank you for having me. The situation facing agricultural producers today is complex and pressing.
Editor: Absolutely. As outlined in a recent article, Pierre-Alban, a young farmer, is grappling with multiple issues, from rising operational costs to the volatility of crop prices. What do you make of his experiences?
Dr. Bernard: Pierre-Alban’s story is emblematic of the broader challenges in agriculture right now. The combination of geopolitical factors, such as the war in Ukraine, and domestic policies, like the proposed EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, creates a perfect storm for farmers. His experience shows the critical impact of soaring diesel prices and inflation on operational viability, especially in organic farming, which relies heavily on mechanical processes instead of chemicals.
Editor: It’s alarming to hear the cost of diesel he mentioned—rising from around 0.95 euros to 1.65 euros per liter. How does such a drastic increase affect farmers financially?
Dr. Bernard: It can be devastating. For organic farmers like Pierre-Alban, who cannot use synthetic chemicals and rely on more tractor work for weeding, those costs quickly accumulate. An 18,000 euros loss in cash flow, as Pierre-Alban experienced, is not just a minor setback; it can determine whether a farm survives. It leads to tough decisions, like letting go of employees or holding off on investments.
Editor: In addition to rising costs, climate unpredictability also poses a significant threat. How are farmers coping with this issue?
Dr. Bernard: The two extremes of climate—drought and excessive rainfall—have shown how vulnerable farming depends on weather patterns. Pierre-Alban’s experience with a rainy summer followed by a historic drought is unfortunately not unique. Farmers need more resilient systems, including diversification of crops and improved irrigation technologies, to cope with these unpredictable conditions.
Editor: Speaking of diversification, Pierre-Alban seems to be adapting by broadening his sources of income, such as raising pigs and growing pumpkins. How important is it for farmers to diversify?
Dr. Bernard: Diversification is crucial for sustainability. By exploring various income streams, farmers can buffer against fluctuations in any single market. Pierre-Alban’s efforts reflect a proactive response to uncertainties in both conventional and organic markets, helping to secure his financial future.
Editor: He also mentioned the importance of education and preparation for future farmers. What should be done to ensure that new farmers are adequately prepared for the realities of agricultural management?
Dr. Bernard: There needs to be a significant overhaul in agricultural education. Institutions should provide hands-on experiences and training in the complexities of modern farming, including financial management and regulatory compliance. This preparation can equip young farmers like Pierre-Alban’s peers with the necessary skills to tackle the challenges they’ll face.
Editor: And what about the broader support systems? He cited frustrations despite receiving aid from the European Common Agricultural Policy. What can be improved?
Dr. Bernard: While subsidies can provide a lifeline, they often come with bureaucratic hurdles that can actually hinder farmers. Streamlining assistance programs and ensuring they are responsive to current market conditions would be key. Additionally, advocating for policies that stabilize prices and create fair competition—particularly concerning international agreements like the EU-Mercosur—is essential for long-term viability.
Editor: Lastly, how should farmers balance activism, like the protests Pierre-Alban is getting involved in, with the day-to-day pressures of running a farm?
Dr. Bernard: Engaging in activism is important for raising awareness about the systemic issues affecting agriculture. However, it can be a double-edged sword. Farmers must strike a balance between voicing their concerns and managing the operational demands of their farms. Building strong networks among farmers can provide emotional support and amplify their voices without detracting from their responsibilities.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Bernard, for these insights. It’s clear that farmers face many hurdles, but also that there are pathways forward with the right support and strategies.
Dr. Bernard: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue to highlight and address these challenges to ensure a sustainable future for agriculture.