From the dependence of the large vegetators in the garden to sovereignty
- Four farms in Lapurdi and Baja Navarra have come together to make their small biological plants for the orchard. Once the cooperative is set up, tools will be purchased and a job created.
The eight farmers working in woodworking B had the idea of breaking the dependence of large small plant sales companies: Why not group the four farms that were working on biological farming and start producing small plants for their orchards? This is the Hazitik Azira programme, and a campaign has now been launched to collect funds for the purchase of the necessary materials and resources.
Born from the alliance of small producers and biologicals
Four farms in Biriatu, Irisarri and Lekorne have joined the initiative, with a total of eight producers dedicated to biological horticulture. “So far we brought small plants from outside, but we realized that this weakened our systems, because we depended on their decisions,” explains Argitxu Ithourria, producer of the Garroa farm in Lekorne.
Two years ago, we started thinking about this project, which took the form of a cooperative. For this year, between March and April, the aim was to start the production of small plants, with which to make a vegetable garden in spring and summer. But the coronavirus crisis has delayed their plans: “In September, at least, we’ll start with that, so we’ll have plants next year,” explains Lekorne’s producer.
Recovery under way
The start of the production of small biological plants from the cooperative requires an investment from the project partners, who have launched an internet campaign to meet the costs. The aim is to raise EUR 12,000. “On the one hand, we will use the money to obtain an instrument for the production of plants: with this instrument, black soil is taken into the sacks and fixed in a mold on which plants are sown,” says Ithourri. A job will also be created for the production of biological plants.
The aim is to gain sovereignty: “This project is for everyone, also for consumers.” Instead of creating a big structure, the idea is to create a small structure for the four farms and the small gardeners in the area. “Instead of each doing it on its own, we can create a more beautiful instrument by joining the four.” Contributions can be made on the web lepotsolidaire.fr until late summer.
