While the conversion of a conventional farm to organic farming takes on average two to three years, producers who take the plunge are only paid the "organic" rate once the label has been obtained.

To help them during this time, Maxime Durand co-founded BioDemain. 

INTERVIEW

"My great-uncle made the decision to convert his farm to organic, and two or three complicated years followed," recalls Maxime Durand.

A "usual" period for all farmers who take the leap of organic conversion and must comply with the strict organic regulations, without yet having the label that goes with it… nor the prices.

So, to support and encourage producers who follow the same path, the entrepreneur had an idea. 

>> Find all the shows of

La France bouge

from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Europe 1 as well as in replay and podcast here

A brand for products from farms in conversion 

"We support the farmer as soon as he has his first crop" with organic cultivation practices, explains Maxime Durand at the microphone of

La France bouge

.

In 2020, he co-founded BioDemain, a startup bringing together 30 producers at the time - it now has more than a hundred.

The idea is simple: to bring together under the same brand the products from farms in conversion, to attract the eye of the consumer… and allow a better remuneration of the farmer during these famous two to three years. 

Concretely, BioDemain manages to pay producers 80% more than "conventional" prices.

"We have quite a few cereal growers who ask us, tree growers too. Overall, this concerns all sectors," enthuses the entrepreneur. 

>> READ ALSO

- Organic is "not the miracle solution": this family preferred sustainable agriculture

"On the French organic, we are more in search of merchandise"

"We are on a demand from the consumer who wants organic, but local organic, and who wants more and more", abounds Benoît Soury, director of the organic market at Carrefour, and for whom the initiative supports a trend of background.

"On organic products produced in France, we are more in search of merchandise. Things have to move, through farmers, distributors and accompanying players."

For its part, Carrefour has thus developed "support for breeders, farmers and organic processors in France", for example subsidizing the conversion of 66 milk producers, according to its manager.

A dynamic which does not seem ready to slow down, judging by the figures put forward by the group: "20% of customers who consume organic products are new consumers, who have been buying it for less than a year."