Development of the Chickpea value chain (Hérault, France)

The case study focuses on chickpea production in the South of France under the supervision of the Chamber of Agriculture of Hérault. Since 2016, the Chamber of Agriculture advises about fifty chickpea producers. It ensures and coordinates experiments on the lag of the sowing date and on the varieties in order to stimulate the projects and also ensures the final synthesis. The experimentations are visited each year by a group of producers (nearly 50 farmers per year, 2 visits a year). This crop also makes it possible to lengthen rotations with durum wheat to reduce the pressure of telluric diseases and pests.

The Regional Chamber of Agriculture promoted new chickpea varieties from the southern EU and via industry. The other partners are the cooperative Arterris which ensures the collection and part of the seeds production via SUD CEREALES and Terres Inovia which carries out experiments. The value chain is identified, with a proximity outlet in PACA region. In addition, there is also an established seed chain. Nonetheless, the launch of this crop is a challenge since there is little or no technical data on this value chain.