Who would have thought that Nice and its territory (today the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan area from an administrative point of view), in addition to tourism and real estate, which are its major economic sectors, would also be agricultural land? And yet…
The numbers are there to prove it: 708 farmers are active in the 49 municipalities of the Metropolis, with 511 farm managers*. And surprisingly, nearly 70 of them are located in the coastal municipalities.
Aside from preconceived notions, a proactive agricultural policy is being put into place to encourage new farmers to settle down and ensure succession (in 2014, 35 new installations against 46 cessations, of which 42% were women), develop sectors (Olive of Nice union, Agribio for beekeeping, Nice Qualité Plus for promoting cut flowers), produce and enhance local products.
In this regard, the Nice metropolitan area has 5 labels: AOP Nice olive, AOP olive oil, AOP Bellet wines, IGP Vins de pays (Saint-Jeannet), IGP Provence honey.
Facing future challenges, the NCA Metropolis and the Chamber of Agriculture have devised an action plan that includes support measures, such as a fund intended for municipalities to encourage the installation of new operators (Gattières, Carros, La-Tour-sur-Tinée have already benefited).
Other types of support, such as covering the cost of feasibility studies for agricultural projects, are also planned.
A key point of this policy will be the quality promotion voucher that will allow farmers and breeders to participate in the General Agricultural Competition at the Paris Fair, a “mutual” in this matter. Prizes will also be awarded to the winners.
The two presidents, signatories of the agreement between the two public bodies, Christian Estrosi for the NCA Metropolis and Marc Dessus for the Chamber of Agriculture, announced the opening of the Maison de Pays, which, located in downtown Nice, will serve as a showcase to promote the “short circuit” between producers and consumers. Opening early 2016.
