More and more French farmers are turning to wheat varieties that are more tolerant to heat. Report in Grammont (south-west).
With our special correspondent in the Tarn-et-Garonne, Alexis Bedu.
A hose reel distributes water in a wheat field. At the heading stage, do not skimp on watering, especially with the daily 35 degrees in May, which is even hotter and drier than usual.
” We have drought every year, deplores Laurent Dirat. It may be at different times, but we are always in a drought situation. Crisis can strike in spring, summer or even fall. We try to adapt as best we can! »
On his 230 hectares, this farmer grows exotic fruits and vegetables, sunflowers and also wheat, a historic crop in the region. And to adapt, like most of its neighbours, it has turned to a wheat variety that is more resistant to drought, even if it means losing added value.
” I made the choice of hardy varieties unlike our small region which had specialized in improving milling wheatexplains Laurent Dirat. The baking value of the latter is very high, but they are also much more sensitive to everything and especially to drought. »
In addition to climate change, farmers have to deal with a tense context on the wheat market where prices are exploding and where the risk of shortage increases a little more each week.
Scientific research for more tolerant wheat varieties is advancing. But it takes on average ten years between the start of research and the marketing of varieties.
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