August 26, 2009
France co-op to boost output of organic grains and poultry
Terres du Sud, an agricultural cooperative based in France's south-western region of Aquitaine, said it would double its organic production of cereals and poultry.
The cooperative said that it would triple the current area for growing organic cereals and double its poultry production by 2012.
The cooperative has signed a convention with the regional council of Aquitaine for the development of organic poultry farming that it will gain a EUR50,000 (US$71,505) state subsidy for the project.
Terres du Sud currently uses 1,200 hectares to grow organic cereals, which accounted for one percent of its total output in 2008.
Organic poultry production accounted for 470,000 birds out of a total 10 million.
The cooperative produced 24 million organic eggs, equal to 45 percent of the total production, and will reach 45 million by 2012.
The cooperative covers 6,500 associated members and 1,121 employees, and reported revenues of EUR455 million (US$650.7 million) last year.
