MSV publishes its 2017 study report

[Ahmed]

As you point out, it is the quantity of work related to the quantity of products that is decisive for the viability of a company. The theoretical tipping point is what is called "the socially necessary average labor time" for the production of a unit of commodity: beyond this amount, it is necessary to provide additional work that will not be remunerated. From this point of view, it is necessary to be aware of the competition of highly mechanized forms of culture which obtain average yields per unit area, but a very high productivity. The local aspect (which reduces the costs and allows the direct sale of all or part of the production) and recovery in organic (very relative, because only rarely compensate for the extra work) are the two strengths of organic market gardeners, but it is not sure that it is enough.

[izentrop]

3 ° But undoubtedly there are also in some of them, "old reflexes", sometimes useless. This affects their profitability (whether in terms of yield per area - because there is a lot of damage done to living systems, in particular to fungi - and above all, yield by UTH, because there is perfectly useless work) .

Old reflexes work well, apparently.
I think of Brice, a classic market gardener converted to MSV. The fact of being very mechanized allows him to gain in manpower time. its tools make it possible to accelerate the mineralization, to refine and aerate the soil and its yields per m² are among the best. His stocked paper strips are also a significant asset.
Others less mechanized have many more hours worked for a less productive result. For example Meyer with double hours in season.

It is sure that the evolution will go in the direction of more mechanization well thought. Permaculture is just gardening next door

it is necessary to be aware of the competition of highly mechanized forms of culture which obtain average yields per unit area, but a very high productivity.

Ben figures are there, the mechanized also have a better return to m².

[Ahmed]

I was thinking more here about extensive field vegetable farming ... but your objection is relevant.

[izentrop]

... average yields per unit area, but very high productivity.

It's contradictory shots!
The field crop is quantified in tonnes / ha and in the document it is in kg / m².

- Yield: 40 at 60 t / ha for carrot primeur, 40 at 60 t / ha for organic field carrot AB. https://www.agrici.net/wp-content/uploa ... arotte.pdf

Which corresponds to 4 to 6 kg / m²
They are all less than 4 kg / m², but must be put in perspective for the sale to the basket is gathered by going, so a part before term and for the field full tillage makes the difference and probably varieties F1 for a harvest even more homogeneous.

[Did67]

Productivity refers to a factor of production: productivity of labor, productivity per unit area, productivity of capital ...

Yield is a productivity per unit area, in the commonly accepted language.

But we can also talk about job performance ...

The unit area yield is average, but labor productivity can be high. This is the case at home: productivity per unit area is low (if we include the surface to produce hay) but very high productivity of work. And it makes sense: since I work little, I feed many who work for me ...

[izentrop]

It also depends on the fertility, the quality of the soil, its mineralization ability, its depth ... In the Rhine plain, the depth exceeds the 1.2 m in places https://www.araa-agronomie.org/download ... 06/85.html

[Did67]

And at home, on the piedmont, a depth of spade ...

Although in the broad sense there are huge disparities in terms of "natural fertility": soil qualities, climate, exposure ... And that it should always start with a diagnosis at this level - and not by itself. copy each other's "recipes"!

But given the location, the fact remains that we can obtain more or less great productivity, whether in terms of capital, labor or surface unit, depending on the choices we make. And we can diverge in huge proportions!

Unfortunately, many projects are "emotional", sometimes "leaks", are little thought out. And end up, quite logically, often in blood sausage when "true reality" - as I like to say - prevails!

[Did67]

In the Rhine plain, the depth exceeds the 1.2 m in places ...

Much more ! There are often 5 or 10 or 20 m of "loess" (these are aeolian silts, "imported" free of charge from China by the winds during the last ice age, and fallen into the "trap" formed by the collapse ditch. of the Rhine).

Best land in the world, which we lose about the equivalent of the surface of a municipality per year, in industrial zones, roads, housing estates ...

[olivier75]

Hello,
I finished yesterday, I find their way forward positive, as the way not to conclude.
They present it well as a starting point, to evolve over time, surely very useful to many market gardeners.
To note for this forum that the majority, (small) uses the hay in mulching.

Olivier.

[izentrop]

In the Rhine plain, the depth exceeds the 1.2 m in places ...

Much more ! There are often 5 or 10 or 20 m of "loess" (these are aeolian silts, "imported" free of charge from China by the winds during the last ice age, and fallen into the "trap" formed by the collapse ditch. of the Rhine).
Best land in the world, which we lose about the equivalent of the surface of a municipality per year, in industrial zones, roads, housing estates ...

From China, are you sure? because in China they have inherited a lot and Australia lost a lot, for example.

The structure is characterized by a very good granulometric sorting due to its aeolian origin, with essentially grains between 10 and 50 micrometers (a size between 2 and 50 micrometers corresponding to a silt). It is homogeneous, without stratification but with a very strong porosity resulting from traces of roots and a carbonate cementation of grains.
Loess lands are known to be favorable to agriculture, particularly because of their water retention capacity.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C5%93ss

It is understood that it is more favorable to non-tillage than a deep clay soil, because air and roots can sink deep.

A turbulent geological history has allowed the appearance of a multitude of magnificent and varied terroirs. All formations, from primary to quaternary, are present in Alsace.
There is everything, where are you?