“Producing according to rigorous specifications and with the greatest respect for the environment: this is the challenge of the “Génération Primeur” to which I belong”emphasizes Jessica Tessier, 38, new president of the Noirmoutier agricultural cooperative. Founded in 1945, the cooperative now includes 22 farms producing 12,000 tonnes of early potatoes each year on 440 ha.
A local neighborhood charter
Five varieties are cultivated: the Bonnotte, an ambassador variety planted and harvested by hand; there Straighten up, harvested from mid-March to mid-June; And Lady Christ’l, Iodine et Annalisa, harvested from mid-May to mid-August. It has benefited from the Label rouge since 2018 and from a protected geographical indication since 2020. The 2023 season is marked by the arrival of a new generation of producers, daughters and sons of producers or young buyers: the “Génération Primeur”. A strong focus for this young generation is the launch of an environmental progress initiative aimed at reducing pesticides.
By 2025, more than 80% of surfaces should be labeled Zero Pesticide Residue. The cooperative undertakes in particular to reduce by 75% the use of glyphosate in 2023 thanks to mechanical investment (weeding, steam disinfection, ploughing). More than 80% of surfaces should also benefit from plant cover by 2025 and more than 30% should be cultivated with pathogen resistant varieties (virus, mildew). Finally, the cooperative has implemented a local neighborhood charter which notably prohibits any phytosanitary treatment near urban areas on weekends and public holidays.
