Market gardening of the future : protected crops for sustainable production

AUTHOR : The Editor
With his outspokenness and vast experience, Régis Chevalier, President of the Fédération des Maraîchers Nantais (Nantes market gardeners’ federation) delivers a passionate plea to Plasticulture Magazine readers on the subject of protected crops. He is convincing: without plastic, his trade is doomed to disappear. The market gardeners of Nantes are great professionals, for whom economic, social and environmental responsibilities have been in their DNA for 50 years. An article by Rodolphe Seyrig following an interview with Régis Chevalier.
More than 50 years ago, the Maraîchers Nantais invented the concept of protected cultivation with lily of the valley frames, glass panels, large salad cloches, etc. They were pioneers and plastic has become a genuine production tool, without which the profession would disappear in the face of climate change, new regulations and standards. This is so true that physical crop protection is becoming a must for many other sectors, such as vineyards and organic farming.
Crop protection: ensuring sustainable production
Protected crops make it possible to cope with the vagaries of the weather (sharp variations in temperature over very short periods, severe weather, rain, hail, frost, etc.), but also to reduce the use of plant protection products and fertilisers. Applying the right dose of inputs is only possible with protected crops.
The market is looking for early vegetables, quality and local production: protected crops are the only ones capable of meeting this demand on a large scale. A lamb’s lettuce grower has two days to harvest it and four days to sell it: market gardeners produce super-fresh produce, with the real aesthetic quality that consumers expect. Market gardeners also have to adapt their production to meet consumer demand: sheltered cultivation allows this flexibility, which means real sustainability.
In addition, with protected crops, stable and sustainable human resource management is possible. Market gardeners are able to provide their staff with permanent work all year round, thanks to a wide range of crops and greater adaptability. It’s no mean feat to be able to offer permanent contracts to employees in our sector and build up team loyalty! The other revolution brought about by the large plastic shelters is the reduction in the arduousness of work through better working conditions linked to the control of climatic hazards.
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