Plant protein relocation project

The project

Location: Centre-Val de Loire

Surface: 23,199 ha

Engaged farmers: 130

Methodology: Arable farming

Type: Collective

Follow-up: Annual

Total CO2 reductions

75632t

Carbon credits available

74532

Discounts

19,000 tonnes

Storage

56631t

Plant protein relocation project

75632t

Total CO2 reductions

74532

Carbon credits available

19,000 tonnes

Discounts

56631t

Storage

The project

Location: Centre-Val de Loire

Surface: 23,199 ha

Engaged farmers: 130

Methodology: Arable farming

Type: Collective

Follow-up: Annual

The Project In a few words

Driven by Carbone Farmers and the Axereal cooperative, this project aims to shake up farming practices by launching an innovative sector dedicated to vegetable proteins from protein peas for the agri-food industry. With the commitment of 120 farms, it meets the economic challenge of legumes, which are often considered unprofitable, especially in Beauce, a symbolic region for cereal crops. This project on protein peas is part of the “Ecological Planning” initiative, which aims to double legume acreage in France by 2030. Legumes, beneficial for the environment, naturally enrich soils with nitrogen, thereby limiting the use of polluting fertilisers and reducing agricultural emissions. Furthermore, they enable soils to fix nitrogen for subsequent crops.

Levers deployed

75 %

Installation of intermediate cutlery

55 %

Reduction of volatile fertilisers

52 %

Introduction of legumes and evolution of crop rotation

44 %

Use of nitrification inhibitors

41 %

Use of organic fertilisers

The Co-benefits of the project

Air quality

-8%: positive impact on air quality due to reduced fertiliser use, made possible by the nitrogen contributed to the soil by protein peas.

Water quality

– 3% improves water quality by reducing tillage and enhancing soil filtration.

Fossil fuel consumption

Non-renewable energy consumption

Water consumption

-11% in water consumption, thanks to these protein-rich peas which do not require any water.

Soil quality

– 5–3 months of impact on soil quality through the introduction of catch crops that help to improve soil structure.

Biodiversity

Impact on the development of life in soils and helps to restore the balance of fauna and flora

Contribution du projet aux ODD

The project guarantees French food sovereignty by meeting the annual protein needs of 377,625 people and would allow for the substitution of 9,687 cattle.

By introducing protein peas, the project helps to reduce the proportion of more emissive crops and to substitute animal protein for a healthier plant-based protein.

Legumes play a strong role in water purification; they help reduce the amount of nitrates leached into the soil because they make very good use of these residual nitrates and thus reduce this pollution in groundwater and waterways.

The project aims to promote currently undervalued produce among farmers, and these products will be processed locally in Loiret, fostering a strong territorial dynamic.

The introduction of this new culture offers two benefits: more sustainable production with less environmental impact, and the development of responsible plant-based protein.

The range of measures implemented by farmers will help develop their agricultural soils as local carbon sinks, storing nearly 56,631 tCO2e over five years, as well as avoiding emissions of 19,001 tCO2e.

The project will allow for the recreation of a balanced soil that constitutes a favourable habitat for a wide diversity of species, contributing to its long-term properties and fertility.