Launched in 2014 by the UniLaSalle Polytechnic Institute and Groupama Paris Val de Loire, the Chair in Agricultural Risk Management (MRA) has been supporting farmers for 10 years to better integrate multiple risks (economic, health, technological, ecological, etc.) in a context of environmental and societal transition.
10 years of advances in knowledge about risk management in agriculture
Over the past 10 years, numerous research and training initiatives carried out within the framework of the MRA Chair have contributed to enriching knowledge in the field of risk management on farms. This new knowledge, co-produced “WITH and FOR farmers” in accordance with the Chair's motto, is particularly useful to the agricultural sector, society and the general interest.
"Our aim was to develop research and training for agricultural entrepreneurs facing technological, economic, and societal changes.
The initial work consisted of assessing the risks in agriculture, then building a risk management model to offer farmers new decision-making tools.
The ambition was for the teaching and research chair to benefit both farmers and engineering students, who would be able to benefit from the skills and expertise it offers."
Jean-Christophe Mandard, President of Groupama Paris Val de Loire
Generating knowledge through research
Since 2014, knowledge of risk management in agriculture has been enriched by scientific work carried out at UniLaSalle, in collaboration with Groupama Paris Val de Loire and several partners such as AgriDées and Peri-G.
Among the highlights of the past 10 years, Marie-Rose Randriamarolo-Malavaux's thesis defended in 2022 on “The scope and limitations of strategies for managing cow's milk price volatility in France” highlighted the concept of ambiguity and extended it to other sectors.
That same year, a pioneering “farmer-to-farmer” workshop, based on the premise that peer-to-peer exchanges on ongoing innovations contribute to knowledge improvement, sounded the alarm on the risks associated with digital tools. Dependence, dehumanization of social relationships that can lead to isolation, and disconnection from nature and living things are the main identifiable risks associated with the use of digital technology.
Finally, in 2024, a large survey of 114 farmers to document and raise awareness of agricultural risk culture and improve their adaptive capacity revealed notions of vulnerability to all risks and ambiguity between risk and uncertainty.
Training engineers in agricultural risk management
Training in agricultural risk management has been incorporated into the Agricultural Engineering and Agro-Industries program since the chair was launched, notably in the form of study projects. In 10 years, 14 projects have been carried out by 4th and 5th year engineering students, under the supervision of UniLaSalle faculty members and Groupama Paris Val-de-Loire employees. These projects have led to the creation of the first risk map for each stage of a methanization project.
Since February 2023, the minor in “Risk Management in Agriculture” has complemented the risk management training through optional courses offered at the end of theAgronomy and Agro-Industries engineering program. The latest “class,” with 45 students, demonstrates the keen interest in this issue.
In 10 years, nearly 250 students (work-study students and interns) will have been trained to meet contemporary challenges and prepare for the transformations of tomorrow.
“Insurance and risk management are topics that aren't necessarily covered in our initial training. Being able to explore this subject is always interesting and very informative. The minor in ”Risk Management in Agriculture" reinforced my decision to do an internship in agricultural insurance. There are many interesting things to do in this field. Hearing the perspectives of different stakeholders, such as insurers, experts, and organizations like AgriDées and Peri-G, gives you a comprehensive view of risks in general."
Louis Branquart, student at UniLaSalle
Sharing knowledge with the agricultural sector
Two international conferences held in Paris in 2018 and 2021 brought together researchers from 19 French and international universities and research institutes and professionals from the agricultural world.
These two events highlighted the need to examine both the tools that can be used to strengthen the resilience of farms and the social and human conditions necessary for their sustainable adoption in the face of increasing agricultural risks.
The first conference analyzed new tools and forms of interaction that can be mobilized to better protect farms in a context of increasing risks associated with agricultural activity.
The second conference shed light on the following issues for the agricultural world:
- The ambivalence inherent in all innovation, particularly its contrasting effects on social and territorial inclusion and on farmers' autonomy;
- The need for greater support to prevent farmers from being overwhelmed by the demands of continuous learning and adaptation.
A chair that works WITH and FOR farmers
The strength of the MRA chair lies in the participation of farmers in various projects, promoting the co-production of knowledge that is particularly useful for agriculture, society, and the general interest. In addition to quantitative research conducted on a database of nearly 7,000 farms, nearly 325 farmers have responded to surveys and nearly 80 have been involved in student projects.
The constant expansion of the chair's partnerships and the continuous improvement of the methodology used enrich the study of the environmental and digital transition of agriculture. The knowledge produced within the framework of the chair is then shared with the agricultural sector.
“Being a farmer means being curious! Curiosity is necessary to adapt. Having a 360-degree approach to risk management seems very important to me today.”
Christophe Buisset, farmer in Hauts-de-France
What about tomorrow?
The ten-year review of the Chair in Agricultural Risk Management is already very positive. Both parties are committed to continuing this collaboration to support farmers.
“The Chair in Agricultural Risk Management is highly relevant and has many links with the day-to-day activities of Groupama Paris Val de Loire. This Chair focuses on the sustainability of agriculture and will continue to develop useful tools for farmers.”
Hayik Afsar, CEO of Groupama Paris Val de Loire regional mutual insurance company
