As part of an unprecedented initiative, a vast land exchange has recently been realized in Vaucluse, involving a significant number of farms. Safer Paca played a pivotal role in assisting farmers in restructuring their land parcels over an area of 700 hectares. This operation has optimized the use of land resources while ensuring that parcels are now large and clearly defined, thereby facilitating the establishment of more sustainable agricultural projects. The farmers involved testify to the numerous benefits they derive from this restructuring.
An unprecedented land exchange project has recently been completed in Vaucluse, involving the active collaboration of Safer Paca and a group of farmers. This initiative has allowed for the restructuring of land parcels across 700 hectares of agricultural land, affecting 340 parcels and 23 farms. This operation aims to improve the efficiency of the farms and facilitate future agricultural projects.
A Story of Resilience and Collaboration
The land exchange project began more than ten years ago, when several farmers from Uchaux and Piolenc felt the need to reorganize their plots. “Our fathers had exchanged parcels informally, and we wanted to regularize this situation,” recalls Sylvain Bernard, a farmer. This desire to structure the exchanges gave birth to a colossal effort requiring the expertise of several stakeholders.
A Long-Term Effort
To embark on this project, Sylvain Bernard gathered his colleagues, Sébastien Mazoyer and Jean Perrier, to map their plots using an Excel spreadsheet and the site cadastre.gouv.fr. “It took us a week of full-time work. We understood that the task was immense and that outside help was necessary,” explains Sylvain Bernard.
They then decided to enlist Laurence Malatrait, an advisor at Safer Paca. Thanks to her intervention, the farmers were able to begin identifying the owners and the parcels involved. This required great meticulousness to trace the history of the lands within this 700-hectare area.
47 Exchange Promises for 81 Hectares
During this operation, Safer Paca prepared 47 exchange promises for a total of 340 parcels, covering an area of 81 hectares. This progress was achieved through the direct involvement of Olivier Louis and Me Audrey Rivière-Tallon, a notary in Piolenc, who assisted in verifying rights and negotiating with the various owners involved.
This vast operation of land exchanges contributes to the consolidation of farms and the securing of land while preserving its accessibility for future generations.
A Significant Event: Signatures and Restructuring
On July 2 and 3, a pivotal moment took place with the signing of documents by a hundred stakeholders. This event formally engaged 23 farms in a dynamic restructuring of their lands. The satisfaction of the farmers is palpable, as emphasized by Sébastien Mazoyer: “Today, our parcels are well-defined and spacious.” This restructuring has ensured continuity and security for the operators.
Notable Benefits for Farmers
The farmers are already noticing productivity benefits. With better-defined parcels, ranging from 5 to 25 hectares, they can more confidently consider projects such as irrigation or replanting trees. Furthermore, these new infrastructures allow for minimizing the movement of equipment and labor, thus optimizing work time and reducing operational costs.
Finally, the operators express a sense of collective achievement: “We have secured what our fathers accomplished, and we have succeeded in going beyond that by ensuring that everyone benefits,” notes Jean Perrier. This collaboration between Safer Paca and the farmers highlights the importance of solidary initiatives to guarantee sustainable and lasting agriculture in Vaucluse.
Massive Land Exchange with Safer in Vaucluse
- Main Objective: Parcel restructuring
- Area concerned: 700 hectares
- Number of parcels: 340 parcels
- Participants: 23 agricultural operations
- Involved owners: 52 owners
- Exchange promises: 47 promises
- Total area exchanged: 81 hectares
- Stakeholders: 100 signatures
- Improvement of practices: Time and resource savings
- Benefits: Facilitated irrigation projects
