Crop diversification: focus on spirulina, truffle farming and edible flowers
Three new Agricultural Sectors presented at SIVAL 2025
This talk, presented at SIVAL 2025 by VEGEPOLYS VALLEY, highlighted three emerging Sectors : spirulina, truffle farming and edible flowers. These developing sectors offer production diversification opportunities for farmers.
Spirulina: sober and promising production
Spirulina is a cyanobacterium that appeared over 2.5 billion years ago. It is grown in an alkaline environment, under glass, in ponds of a few hundred square meters. This production method, although seasonal, preserves the nutritional quality of the product, unlike the extensive open-air cultivation practiced in other countries.
In France, around 200 farms produce spirulina, including 16 in the Pays de la Loire region. The sector is organized around the Fédération des Spiruliniers de France, the regional aquaculture sector and the Adasmae association. Despite a national production well below annual consumption, the market is experiencing strong demand. Producers rely on direct sales and product diversification to add value to their production.
Truffle growing: a reasoned diversification
A winegrower presented his project for the transition to truffle growing, initiated in 2008 with the gradual planting of different varieties of truffle trees over 2.5 hectares. Eventually, the plantation should extend to 5 hectares. Tilling, pruning and watering punctuate the upkeep of the truffle beds, with harvesting starting 5 to 7 years after planting.
The cavage, carried out with trained dogs, is a key stage in the production cycle. The grower's aim is to integrate this diversification into his existing business model, in particular by leveraging his wine marketing channels. In addition, truffle-growing contributes to the replanting of trees and the development of limestone soils suited to this type of production.
Edible flowers: a structuring sector
Two growers presented the current structuring of a sector dedicated to edible flowers. One owns an 8,000 m² farm in Vendée, with around 50 customers, including gourmet restaurants and food artisans. The other is located in Anjou and supplies mainly distributors and wholesalers.
The diversity of the flowers we grow enables us to offer a wide range of flavors and uses. Production takes place in greenhouses and in open fields, with priority given to short circuits and optimal flower preservation. The association of edible flower producers works with organizations such as ASTREDHOR and VEGEPOLYS VALLEY to supervise the sector and guarantee rigorous production standards.
Speakers:
FLORENCE DE LA BASTILLE - Spirulinaire - Angevin Spirulina
FABIEN DUVEAU - Manager SCEA DUVEAU - Fabien
MATTHIEU BREANT - Manager / Partner / Spouse - JEU DE PAM
Lise Mercier - CDM project - VEGEPOLYS VALLEY