Châteauneuf-le-Rouge, May 25, 2022 - Châteauneuf-le-Rouge has selected Ombrea to deploy its solution on a market garden plot. Table grapes will be grown and will contribute to feed the school canteen and the inhabitants. With this climate protection system, the municipality is committed to local, innovative agriculture and is ready to meet the environmental and food challenges of tomorrow. The structure will also produce green energy, in a virtuous circuit.
A system to protect crops and provide local production to the inhabitants
Climate change is affecting agricultural yields and water requirements. In France, drought phenomena are becoming increasingly marked. Since the beginning of 2022, "precipitation has been in deficit by nearly 35% over the country," warns Meteo France.
The technology developed by Ombrea ensures protection of field crops against extreme weather conditions (drought, heat, hail, spring frost) that affect yields and product quality.
On the 1000 m2 Châteauneuf plot, three old grape varieties were selected: Muscat de Hambourg, Chasselas, and Admirable. Thanks to the control algorithm defined by Ombrea, the vines will be protected throughout their cycle and will be able to develop under favorable conditions and benefit from an adapted microclimate.
This project is part of the important work started in 2022 with the objective of increasing the capacity of market garden production to supply the food needs of the municipality. Very committed, the municipality is creating an ecosystem that encourages agricultural activity and the consumption of local products, intended for schools and residents.
A state-of-the-art agricultural tool to promote local production
The implementation of the Ombrea system on the plot will address several issues:
- Protecting crops from extreme weather events
- Promote short circuits
- Raising awareness of agricultural innovations among young people
- Produce solar energy that will be used by the community.
This collaboration makes it possible to implement an ambitious project, which combines high technology and adaptability in the service of sustainable and local agriculture.
Installation of the system will be finalized this summer for an official opening scheduled for Friday, June 3, 2022. Grape planting will then follow in the fall.
"Châteauneuf le Rouge, committed to a local and virtuous agriculture, pursues its objective of food sovereignty" says Michel Boulan, Mayor of Châteauneuf-le-Rouge "This project marks a new step because we are integrating Artificial Intelligence into our market garden production. This technology will accompany our production, through precision agriculture to better secure it in the face of new climatic challenges. Finally, he says, "I also note that our small town, a true laboratory of ideas, is committed to working with startups in the Pays d'Aix that help boost the local and industrial economy.
"Châteauneuf is a model community that invests in local agriculture. This approach is ideal because it is inclusive and encourages the sector by integrating the needs of its citizens," said Julie Davico-Pahin, co-founder and CEO of Ombrea. “By choosing Ombrea, Châteauneuf-le-Rouge is embarking on an optimistic revolution that will allow it to propose a new model and inspire other municipalities. We are very happy to collaborate with them on this path.
About Châteauneuf-le-Rouge
Châteauneuf-le-Rouge is a municipality located at the eastern gateway to Aix-en-Provence which belongs to the canton of Trets, on the territory of the Pays d'Aix of the Aix-Marseille Metropolis, located in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône and the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Its inhabitants are called Nègreliens because the commune, until the 18th century, was commonly called Négrel or Négreoux. Its territory is a rectangle of 6 km by 2.5 km from East to West, limited by 2 natural barriers: to the North by the edge of the Cengle plateau and to the South by the Arc river. Population : 2129 inhabitants Area : 13.15 km https://www.chateauneuflerouge.fr/fr/
Contact Châteauneuf-le-Rouge
Aurélie LEVAN, Secretary to the Mayor Châteauneuf le Rouge Town Hall / 0442586201 | 0772154845 / cabinetdumaire@chateauneuflerouge.fr
