What are the key stages in implementing the programme ? L. R._ Support is provided throughout the entire year on both commercial and agronomic aspects. Training sessions can take very different forms: cover-crop trial visits, classroom sessions to present our traceability tool, collective training on agronomy, humus balance, the different types of organic matter, etc. The value of these group training sessions, which are highly appreciated by farmers, is that they provide food for thought. Then we go back to see them individually the following spring to develop a personalised action plan aimed at improving the four indicators in the agronomic framework. The top priority is to identify how to best leverage agronomic, economic, and climate-related solutions for each farm, bearing in mind that practices vary significantly from one region to another. And then we help them implement these solutions. What concrete actions do you take to support farmers ? L. R._ We are fortunate to have the full backing of VIVESCIA’s agronomy department. Our agronomy experts are trained on TRANSITIONS and help answer all our questions. We have also set up soil rallies: meetings between farmers and agronomists to discuss their challenges. The idea is to build the farmers’ expertise together. For the cohorts that began in September 2023, we developed conferences on specific themes, bringing in external experts. For example, we organised sessions on soil with Celesta Lab and Biodiversity Days with the ecologist Johanna Villenave- Chasset. What are the most common challenges and obstacles farmers face in implementing these action plans ? L. R._ First and foremost, the financial aspect — whether that be related to investment in equipment or purchasing inputs. We prioritise solutions that will have the greatest impact on GHG³ emissions. But choosing solid fertiliser — which requires investment in specific spreading equipment, or maybe one day low- carbon ammonium nitrate instead of nitrogen solutions — does come at a higher cost. Then, climate events can also hinder practices and expected results. We also need to adapt to the specific characteristics of each region, which sometimes prevent us from modifying crop rotation cycles; we must take into account the farm’s history and financial equilibrium. Transitions need to be planned over several years. 3 QUESTIONS TO... Lucas Rouvroy is a technical sales representative at VIVESCIA. Throughout the year, he supports 17 farmers involved in the TRANSITIONS programme. He explains his role in implementing the programme. The interesting thing is being able to share ideas. TRANSITIONS provides a scientific framework, but there are also the technical discussions we have among ourselves; both aspects are crucial to making it happen on the farms and avoiding mistakes as much as possible.” Martin Gosset VIVESCIA Cooperative member in Aisne, Cohort A 3. Greenhouse gases 7